Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Might stratospheric variability lead to improved predictability of ENSO events?

The El Niño/Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is the dominant mode of oceanic variability on interannual timescales. It is characterized by variations of sea surface temperatures in the equatorial central and eastern Pacific—warmer during El Niño and colder during La Niña—that have been linked to persistent regional and global atmospheric anomalies [1–3]. These substantial impacts must be anticipated and planned for in order to mitigate deleterious effects on society and ecosystems, but only after a forecast of ENSO has been issued can such mitigative action begin. While some ENSO events are predictable up to 2 years in advance [4, 5], most ENSO events are only predictable after the ‘barrier’ in the boreal spring immediately before the event has been crossed. Traditionally, ENSO events are forecasted using coupled ocean-atmosphere general circulation models in which chemical processes in the stratosphere are not explicitly considered. A recent letter by Xie et al [6] suggests that this may lead to an underestimation of the predictability of ENSO events, as Arctic stratospheric ozone anomalies precede, and likely force, ENSO variability. The letter by Xie et al [6] first shows that over the historical record, there is a statistically significant correlation between Arctic stratospheric ozone and the Niño 3.4 index twenty months later: the correlation is −0.35 when all calendar months are considered, and rises to −0.57 when the seasons with maximum variability are considered (i.e. the correlation of spring ozone with winter ENSO variability 20 months later). Additional, causal, evidence is provided by model simulations with the Community Earth SystemModel: while the model has no skill at reproducing the historical timing of specific ENSO events (as expected due to misalignment in the stochastic forcing of ENSO), imposing observed Arctic stratospheric ozone in the model acts as a pacemaker for the oceanatmosphere coupled system: several strong El Niño events are successfully simulated, and the correlation between the observed and the simulated Niño 3.4 index is statistically significant (correlation of 0.42).
Research on RAIM algorithm based on temporal filtering

The satellite navigation receiver autonomous integrity monitoring (RAIM) is a credible evaluation technology of GNSS ephemeris information. It is one of the important indicators of the results of navigation and positioning. The widely used pseudorange domain "snapshot" RAIM algorithms are restricted to the pseudorange redundancy demand and greatly influenced by observation error problem. To detect and identify the gross error, a temporal domain “filtering” RAIM algorithm by using the particle filter algorithm is put forward. Compared with the traditional algorithm, this new algorithm has lower computing complexity and good real-time performance. Besides, it can obtain good results of satellite fault detection and ruled out. The experiments prove that the temporal RAIM algorithm can effectively make up for the pseudorange redundant requirement of traditional monitoring methods, but also can greatly improve the usability of the navigation and positioning results. This new algorithm can effectively improve the integrity of satellite navigation.
Co-location of Mental Health Professionals in Primary Care Settings: Three North Carolina Models

The pressing need for identification and treatment of behavioral health disorders in primary care has renewed interest in the concept of co-located models of care. The purpose of this article is to describe three North Carolina practice models in which mental health professionals are co-located with pediatric primary care providers. Each of the models was sustainable, partly due to systemic changes brought about by advocacy efforts. In addition to providing practical guidance for possible replication in primary care, this article reflects on how advocacy efforts can impact the success of co-location models.
Identification of Sam68 Arginine Glycine-rich Sequences Capable of Conferring Nonspecific RNA Binding to the GSG Domain*

Sam68 is an RNA-binding protein that contains a heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein K homology domain embedded in a larger RNA binding domain called the GSG (GRP33,Sam68, GLD-1) domain. This family of proteins is often referred to as the STAR (signaltransduction and activators of RNA metabolism) proteins. It is not known whether Sam68 is a general nonspecific RNA-binding protein or whether it recognizes specific response elements in mRNAs with high affinity. Sam68 has been shown to bind homopolymeric RNA and a synthetic RNA sequence called G8–5 that has a core UAAA motif. Here we performed a structure function analysis of Sam68 and identified two arginine glycine (RG)-rich regions that confer nonspecific RNA binding to the Sam68 GSG domain. In addition, by using chimeric proteins between Sam68 and QKI-7, we demonstrated that one of the Sam68 RG-rich sequences of 26 amino acids was sufficient to confer homopolymeric RNA binding to the GSG domain of QKI-7, another STAR protein. Furthermore, that minimal sequence can also give QKI-7 the ability (as Sam68) to functionally substitute for HIV-1 REV to facilitate the nuclear export of RNAs. Our studies suggest that neighboring RG-rich sequences may impose nonspecific RNA binding to GSG domains. Because the Sam68 RNA binding activity is negatively regulated by tyrosine phosphorylation, our data lead us to propose that Sam68 might be a specific RNA-binding protein when tyrosine phosphorylated.
Unveiling patterns of contestation over Better Regulation reforms in the European Union

Regulatory reforms labelled ‘Better Regulation’ are a prominent item on the political agendas of most advanced democracies and the European Union. Governments adopt Better Regulation measures to strengthen their democratic legitimacy and increase their regulatory and economic effectiveness. Notwithstanding their rhetorical appeal, their design and implementation are susceptible to high levels of political contestation. We therefore ask: are there systematic differences in stakeholders’ demands for what Better Regulation should achieve? What explains these differences? We argue that conflict over Better Regulation is rooted in what stakeholders prefer as a regulatory system of governance. Stakeholders demand reforms that lead to one of the following three scenarios: deregulation, technocratic or participatory policy-making. We examine stakeholders’ demands expressed in the EU. We find that national authorities responsible for coordinating Better Regulation and cross-sectoral business organizations support deregulatory and technocratic reforms. Business and public interest organizations are equally supportive of strengthening participatory policy-making.
Membrane-anchored serine protease matriptase regulates epithelial barrier formation and permeability in the intestine

The intestinal epithelium serves as a major protective barrier between the mammalian host and the external environment. Here we show that the transmembrane serine protease matriptase plays a pivotol role in the formation and integrity of the intestinal epithelial barrier. St14 hypomorphic mice, which have a 100-fold reduction in intestinal matriptase mRNA levels, display a 35% reduction in intestinal transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER). Matriptase is expressed during intestinal epithelial differentiation and colocalizes with E-cadherin to apical junctional complexes (AJC) in differentiated polarized Caco-2 monolayers. Inhibition of matriptase activity using a specific peptide inhibitor or by knockdown of matriptase by siRNA disrupts the development of TEER in barrier-forming Caco-2 monolayers and increases paracellular permeability to macromolecular FITC-dextran. Loss of matriptase was associated with enhanced expression and incorporation of the permeability-associated, “leaky” tight junction protein claudin-2 at intercellular junctions. Knockdown of claudin-2 enhanced the development of TEER in matriptase-silenced Caco-2 monolayers, suggesting that the reduced barrier integrity was caused, at least in part, by an inability to regulate claudin-2 expression and incorporation into junctions. We find that matriptase enhances the rate of claudin-2 protein turnover, and that this is mediated indirectly through an atypical PKCζ-dependent signaling pathway. These results support a key role for matriptase in regulating intestinal epithelial barrier competence, and suggest an intriguing link between pericellular serine protease activity and tight junction assembly in polarized epithelia.
Fast broad-band angular response sweep using FEM in conjunction with compressed sensing technique

The Compressed Sensing (CS) technique is applied to the finite element method (FEM) for fast radar cross section (RCS) calculation over a wide incident angular band. Rather than point-by-point solving multiple right-hand vectors of each incident angle, the right-hand sides are first compressed and then recovered to find each incident angle response in CS procedure. The numerical example shows the proposed approach leads a magnitude decrease of computation time without losing accuracy.
Execution of the meiotic noncoding RNA expression program and the onset of gametogenesis in yeast require the conserved exosome subunit Rrp6

Budding yeast noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) are pervasively transcribed during mitosis, and some regulate mitotic protein-coding genes. However, little is known about ncRNA expression during meiotic development. Using high-resolution profiling we identified an extensive meiotic ncRNA expression program interlaced with the protein-coding transcriptome via sense/antisense transcript pairs, bidirectional promoters, and ncRNAs that overlap the regulatory regions of genes. Meiotic unannotated transcripts (MUTs) are mitotic targets of the conserved exosome component Rrp6, which itself is degraded after the onset of meiosis when MUTs and other ncRNAs accumulate in successive waves. Diploid cells lacking Rrp6 fail to initiate premeiotic DNA replication normally and cannot undergo efficient meiotic development. The present study demonstrates a unique function for budding yeast Rrp6 in degrading distinct classes of meiotically induced ncRNAs during vegetative growth and the onset of meiosis and thus points to a critical role of differential ncRNA expression in the execution of a conserved developmental program.
A INFLUÊNCIA DA CAPACITAÇÃO NO DESEMPENHO EMPRESARIAL DAS MICRO E PEQUENAS EMPRESAS

The article aims to deepen the understanding of the influence of professional training on business performance of micro and small business, especially in the areas of shopping area and inventories; planning programming and production control; marketing and sales. The research was characterized as quantitative, descriptive and documentary. The study analyzed data collected in the database Productive Extension Center and Innovation at the University of Passo Fundo about 134 micro and small business from various sectors, located in the north Rio Grande do Sul according to the political division established by the Committee Regional Development - COREDE. The literature used is about people management, professional and business performance. The findings reveal that companies that invested in the professional training of workers performed better than average in the specified areas, as well as a better corporate performance index. Still, it was possible to identify the most sensitive areas for investments in training within the small business.
Postoperative chemoradiotherapy and cetuximab for high-risk squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck: Radiation Therapy Oncology Group RTOG-0234.

PURPOSE To report results of a randomized phase II trial (Radiation Therapy Oncology Group RTOG-0234) examining concurrent chemoradiotherapy and cetuximab in the postoperative treatment of patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) with high-risk pathologic features. PATIENTS AND METHODS Eligibility required pathologic stage III to IV SCCHN with gross total resection showing positive margins and/or extracapsular nodal extension and/or two or more nodal metastases. Patients were randomly assigned to 60 Gy radiation with cetuximab once per week plus either cisplatin 30 mg/m(2) or docetaxel 15 mg/m(2) once per week. RESULTS Between April 2004 and December 2006, 238 patients were enrolled. With a median follow-up of 4.4 years, 2-year overall survival (OS) was 69% for the cisplatin arm and 79% for the docetaxel arm; 2-year disease-free survival (DFS) was 57% and 66%, respectively. Patients with p16-positive oropharynx tumors showed markedly improved survival outcome relative to patients with p16-negative oropharynx tumors. Grade 3 to 4 myelosuppression was observed in 28% of patients in the cisplatin arm and 14% in the docetaxel arm; mucositis was observed in 56% and 54%, respectively. DFS in this study was compared with that in the chemoradiotherapy arm of the RTOG-9501 trial (Phase III Intergroup Trial of Surgery Followed by Radiotherapy Versus Radiochemotherapy for Resectable High Risk Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck), which had a hazard ratio of 0.76 for the cisplatin arm versus control (P = .05) and 0.69 for the docetaxel arm versus control (P = .01), reflecting absolute improvement in 2-year DFS of 2.5% and 11.1%, respectively. CONCLUSION The delivery of postoperative chemoradiotherapy and cetuximab to patients with SCCHN is feasible and tolerated with predictable toxicity. The docetaxel regimen shows favorable outcome with improved DFS and OS relative to historical controls and has commenced formal testing in a phase II/III trial.
Local reactions to mass tourism and community tourism development in Macau

ABSTRACT By 2014, it became apparent that a popular debate was emerging in many destinations about the “annoyances” felt by local residents in the face of an upsurge in inbound tourism. This study investigates residents’ attitudes toward mass tourism and tourism development in Macau. It comprises an examination of three emotional solidarity factors of residents’ perceptions of the contribution of tourism to the community and the community's experiences of so-called “annoyances” from tourists that may ultimately influence residents’ attitudes toward community tourism development. The results of this study reveal that three emotional solidarity factors play different roles in influencing residents’ attitudes about community tourism and community tourism development. The theoretical contributions, as well as implications, are discussed and future research opportunities are proposed.
Alcohol withdrawal increases neuropeptide Y immunoreactivity in rat brain.

BACKGROUND Neuropeptide Y (NPY) is widely expressed in the brain and is known to affect consummatory behaviors including drinking alcohol as well as to play a role in seizures. We investigated the effects of a 4 day binge ethanol treatment model that is known to induce physical dependence and withdrawal seizures to determine the effects of ethanol dependence and withdrawal on NPY expression. METHODS Male Sprague Dawley rats were treated with ethanol or control nutritionally complete diets by intragastric treatment three times per day for 2 or 4 days with an average daily dose of approximately 8 g/kg ethanol per day. Ethanol-fed rats treated for 4 days and then withdrawn for 24, 72, and 168 hr also were studied. Brains were perfused and sectioned for immunohistochemistry for NPY, phospho-cyclic adenosine monophosphate responsive element binding (pCREB), and other proteins. RESULTS NPY immunoreactivity (NPY-IR) was found in several brain regions, with the hippocampus and cerebral cortex showing the most pronounced changes. NPY-IR was reduced by ethanol treatment in hippocampus and cortex, although at 72 hr of withdrawal there was a dramatic increase in NPY-IR in the hilus of the dentate gyrus and in CA3 and CA2 fields of hippocampus. Ethanol withdrawal seizures occurred around 12 to 24 hr of withdrawal, preceding the changes in NPY-IR at 72 hr. pCREB immunoreactivity (pCREB-IR) tended to decrease during ethanol treatment but showed a dramatic increase in dentate gyrus at 72 hr of withdrawal. Parvalbumin immunoreactivity indicated that some of the pCREB-IR and NPY-IR were within inhibitory interneuron basket cells of the hippocampal hilus. NPY-IR returned to control levels by 168 hr of withdrawal. CONCLUSIONS These studies suggest that hippocampal NPY is reduced during the development of ethanol dependence. Ethanol withdrawal seizures precede a dramatic increase in hippocampal NPY-IR. Previous studies have suggested that NPY in the hippocampus reduces seizure activity and that NPY is induced by seizure activity. Thus, the increase in NPY-IR at 72 hr of withdrawal after binge ethanol treatment may be protective against prolonged withdrawal seizure activity.
ESTIMATIVA DO CUSTO MÉDIO PONDERADO DE CAPITAL EM COOPERATIVAS AGROPECUÁRIAS: APLICAÇÕES DO MODELO DE ASWATH DAMODARAN

The purpose of this article is to estimate the weighted average cost of capital of an agricultural cooperative located in the northwestern region of the State of Parana, Brazil, using the Aswath Damodaran model. The method used was bibliographical research, to build a theoretical support for the article, as well as documental research, with the purpose of extracting data from the financial statements – balance sheet and statement of surplus for the year – of the cooperative that is the object of this case study. The results obtained lead to the conclusion that the weighted average cost of the cooperative being examined was 14.94% per annum in the fiscal year 2002. Such rate was comprised of the cost of owned funds adjusted to the risk of the activities of the cooperative, the value of which reached 11.58% per annum, and the net cost of third parties’ funds, at a rate of 19.05% per annum. It becomes evident that the greatest impact on the weighted average cost of capital resulted from the use of funds raised through currency exchange transactions (24.99%) at a cost of 58.31% per annum. It can be verified that such transactions accounted for 67.92% of the total cost of third parties’ funds.
The Chlamydia Effector TarP Mimics the Mammalian Leucine-Aspartic Acid Motif of Paxillin to Subvert the Focal Adhesion Kinase during Invasion

Background: Chlamydia signals to the actin cytoskeleton via its virulence factor TarP during invasion. Results: TarP contains a paxillin LD2-like motif that is recognized by the focal adhesion kinase (FAK). This interaction is required for signaling to the actin cytoskeleton. Conclusion: Chlamydia TarP LD functions in FAK-dependent signaling to the actin cytoskeleton. Significance: TarP is the first bacterial virulence factor that directly engages FAK. Host cell signal transduction pathways are often targets of bacterial pathogens, especially during the process of invasion when robust actin remodeling is required. We demonstrate that the host cell focal adhesion kinase (FAK) was necessary for the invasion by the obligate intracellular pathogen Chlamydia caviae. Bacterial adhesion triggered the transient recruitment of FAK to the plasma membrane to mediate a Cdc42- and Arp2/3-dependent actin assembly. FAK recruitment was via binding to a domain within the virulence factor TarP that mimicked the LD2 motif of the FAK binding partner paxillin. Importantly, bacterial two-hybrid and quantitative imaging assays revealed a similar level of interaction between paxillin-LD2 and TarP-LD. The conserved leucine residues within the L(D/E)XLLXXL motif were essential to the recruitment of FAK, Cdc42, p34Arc, and actin to the plasma membrane. In the absence of FAK, TarP-LD-mediated F-actin assembly was reduced, highlighting the functional relevance of this interaction. Together, the data indicate that a prokaryotic version of the paxillin LD2 domain targets the FAK signaling pathway, with TarP representing the first example of an LD-containing Type III virulence effector.
Long-term Treatment with Golimumab for Severe Uveitis

Abstract Purpose: To evaluate the long-term efficacy of golimumab in patients with severe recalcitrant uveitis who had inadequate response to previous biologics. Methods: Retrospective study (13 patients with JIA, 4 with HLA-B27-associated uveitis). Indication for treatment was active uveitis despite biologics. Golimumab dosing was 50 mg monthly/subcutaneously. Main outcome measures: uveitis activity, visual acuity improvement, reduction of systemic therapy (corticosteroids/immunosuppressants), adverse events. Results: Of 17 patients (34 affected eyes), response to golimumab was seen in 14 patients; at last visit uveitis was inactive in 12 patients. Three patients were nonresponders. Mean follow-up time on golimumab was 21.9 months. Visual acuity remained stable in 26 eyes, improved in 7, and worsened in 1. Mean systemic prednisolone dose before and after golimumab was 12.5–3.5 mg/day. One patient developed pulmonary infection. Conclusions: Golimumab may be a promising new therapeutic option for severe uveitis patients who have not responded to other biologics.
Non-conservative dissipativity and small-gain conditions for stability analysis of interconnected systems

Classical dissipativity and small-gain theory provide computationally tractable, but conservative methods to analyze stability of interconnected systems. In this paper, we propose a relaxation of the standard dissipativity and small-gain inequalities and prove that the corresponding conditions are necessary and sufficient for stability of interconnected systems. Thus, non-conservative conditions for stability of interconnected systems are obtained which are computationally tractable, as it is illustrated via a simple example. A further relaxation of the results is indicated for interconnected positive linear systems along with several other extensions.
A shared genetic basis for self-limited delayed puberty and idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism.

CONTEXT Delayed puberty (DP) is a common issue and, in the absence of an underlying condition, is typically self limited. Alhough DP seems to be heritable, no specific genetic cause for DP has yet been reported. In contrast, many genetic causes have been found for idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (IHH), a rare disorder characterized by absent or stalled pubertal development. OBJECTIVE The objective of this retrospective study, conducted at academic medical centers, was to determine whether variants in IHH genes contribute to the pathogenesis of DP. SUBJECTS AND OUTCOME MEASURES Potentially pathogenic variants in IHH genes were identified in two cohorts: 1) DP family members of an IHH proband previously found to have a variant in an IHH gene, with unaffected family members serving as controls, and 2) DP individuals with no family history of IHH, with ethnically matched control subjects drawn from the Exome Aggregation Consortium. RESULTS In pedigrees with an IHH proband, the proband's variant was shared by 53% (10/19) of DP family members vs 12% (4/33) of unaffected family members (P = .003). In DP subjects with no family history of IHH, 14% (8/56) had potentially pathogenic variants in IHH genes vs 5.6% (1 907/33 855) of controls (P = .01). Potentially pathogenic variants were found in multiple DP subjects for the genes IL17RD and TAC3. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that variants in IHH genes can contribute to the pathogenesis of self-limited DP. Thus, at least in some cases, self-limited DP shares an underlying pathophysiology with IHH.