Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The epidemiology of multiple Plasmodium falciparum infections. 9. Effect of insecticide-treated bed nets on haemoglobin values, prevalence and multiplicity of infection with Plasmodium falciparum in a randomized controlled trial in Tanzania

A randomized controlled trial of insecticide-treated bed nets (ITNs) was conducted in an area of high malaria transmission in Tanzania in order to assess the effects of ITNs on infection and anaemia. One hundred and twenty-two children, aged 5 to 24 months, were randomly allocated to 2 groups, one of which received ITNs. Outcome measures were assessed in 6 consecutive months with monthly cross-sectional surveys. These measures were haemoglobin values, Plasmodium falciparum prevalence and density, and multiplicity of infection determined by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis (PCR-RFLP) of the msp2 locus.There was a significant increase in mean heamoglobin values and a significant decrease of 16.4% in microscopically determined P.falciparum prevalence in children in the ITN group six months after the start of the trial. Both effects were more pronounced in younger children. However, no significant difference was observed in parasite density or multiplicity of infection among infected children. Comparison with PCR results indicated that microscopically subpatent parasitaemia was more frequently found in children in the ITN group. This, together with the observed similar multiplicity in the 2 groups, suggests that infections are maintained despite ITN use, owing to the chronicity of infections. This study shows that ITNs reduce the risk of anaemia in highly exposed young children. The virtually unchanged multiplicity of infection indicates that the potentially protective concomitant immunity is not compromised.
Mycobacterium tuberculosis Rv 3194 c efficiently facilitates mycobacterial-lung epithelial 1 interaction through its HA-binding site 2

Mycobacterium tuberculosis Rv3194c efficiently facilitates mycobacterial-lung epithelial 1 interaction through its HA-binding site 2 Dongyue Zhao*, Chen Xu, Danfeng Lin 3 Fujian Key Laboratory of Developmental and Neurobiology, College of Life Science, Fujian 4 Normal University, Fuzhou 350117, Fujian Province, China 5 Running title: Rv3194c is a hyaluronic acid (HA)-binding adhesin 6 *To whom correspondence should be addressed: 7 Dongyue Zhao, Fujian Key Laboratory of Developmental and Neurobiology, College of Life 8 Science, Fujian Normal University, Qishan Campus, No.1 Keji Road, Fuzhou, Fujian, China 9 350117. Email: mountain@fjnu.edu. cn 10
A COMBINED DYNAMICAL/STATISTICAL DOWNSCALING APPROACH FOR ASSESSING FUTURE OF WATER RESOURCES IN THE TONE RIVER BASIN, JAPAN

Dynamical downscaling is a promising tool to assess the future fate of water in a catchment. To overcome strong biases in Coupled Ocean-Atmosphere General Circulation Models (CGCMs), the Pseudo Global Warming Downscaling (PGW-DS), which combines climatology differences (future-past) of CGCM ensembles and Reanalysis Dataset (RD) was proposed as a reliable and efficient method, but biases originated from downscaling of RD was not addressed. Hence, this study evaluated the results from a long-term, high-resolution Downscaled Precipitation (DP) derived from a RD over the Tone river basin. DP showed strong bias over mountainous regions owing to resolution enhancement. DP and CGCM precipitations were merged with Statistical Bias Correction methods (SBC) to obtain a comprehensive outlook on biases and the most appropriate SBC. Characteristics of biases were quite different in DP and CGCM, which performed very poor for extreme rainfall intensities and thus required an explicit treatment. Seasonal inconsistency in extreme events of CGCMs affected the corrected rainfall and discharges significantly. Conversely, a simple cumulative gamma method was successful for DP to represent climatology, extreme statistics of rainfall and discharges owing to the use of RD, which generated lesser bias compared to CGCMs. The proposed method will be applied to PGW-DS to obtain reliable information of future changes of water in the basin.
Towards an eﬀicient computation of masks for multichannel speech enhancement

—Most of recent advances in speech enhancement (SE) have been enabled by the use of complex deep neural network (DNN) architectures. Although these results are convincing, they are not yet applicable in small wearable devices like hearing aids. In this paper, we propose a DNN-based SE which beneﬁts from the spatial information to simplify the requirements of the DNN architecture. We show that the DNN inference is the most time and energy consuming step and we simplify the architecture of a convolutional recurrent neural network by removing its recurrent layer. This achieves comparable performance to the initial architecture, while reducing the processing time and energy consumption by a factor of 4.4.
Low-level Cloud Response to the Gulf Stream Front in Winter Using Calipso Jing-wu Liu Physical Oceanography Laboratory, and Ocean–atmosphere Interaction and Climate Shang-ping Xie California Su-ping Zhang Physical Oceanography Laboratory, and Ocean–atmosphere Interaction and Climate

Manuscript+Figures Click here to download Manuscript (non-LaTeX): Gulf_cloud_text_r1. docx 2 Abstract 23 A sharp sea surface temperature front develops between the warm water of the Gulf 24 Stream and cold continental shelf water in boreal winter. This front has a substantial 25 impact on the marine boundary layer. The present study analyzes and synthesizes satellite 26 observations and reanalysis data to examine how the sea surface temperature front 27 influences the three-dimensional structure of low-level clouds. Cloud-Aerosol Lidar and 28 Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observation (CALIPSO) captures a sharp low-level cloud 29 transition across the Gulf Stream front, a structure frequently observed under the 30 northerly condition. Low-level cloud top (< 4 km) increases by about 500 m from the 31 cold to the warm flank of the front. The sea surface temperature front induces a 32 secondary low-level circulation through sea level pressure adjustment with ascending 33 motion over the warm water and descending motion over cold water. The secondary 34 circulation further contributes to the cross-frontal transition of low-level clouds. 35 Composite analysis shows that surface meridional advection over the front plays an 36 important role in the development of the marine atmospheric boundary layer and 37 low-level clouds. Under cold northerly advection over the Gulf Stream front, strong 38 near-surface instability leads to a well-mixed boundary layer over the Gulf Stream, 39 causing southward deepening of low-level clouds across the sea surface temperature front. 40 Moreover, the front affects the freezing level by transferring heat to the atmosphere and 41 therefore influences the cross-frontal variation of the cloud phase.
A QTL influences sex ratios by controlling asymmetric organelle positioning during male spermatogenesis in Auanema freiburgense

Auanema freiburgense is a trioecious nematode with co-existing males, females, and selfing hermaphrodites. Crosses of XO males with XX females result in a low percentage of XO sons (<20%) due to the unusual male spermatogenesis that yields viable 1X sperm and non-viable nullo-X spermatids. However, intercrossing two strains of A. freiburgense results in lines in which males produce viable nullo-X sperm, resulting in a high percentage (~30-50%) of sons after crosses with females. We generated a genome assembly for A. freiburgense and genotyped the intercrossed lines to uncover the genetic basis for this transgressive phenotype. We found a QTL on the X chromosome associated with the unusual spermatogenesis in A. freiburgense, providing a mechanistic basis for asymmetric partitioning of organelles during the male meiotic division.
The contrasted evolution of high and low flows and precipitation indices in the Duero basin (Spain)

Abstract Trends in high and low flows are valuable indicators of hydrological change because they highlight changes in various parts of the frequency distribution of streamflow series. This enables improved assessment of water availability in regions with high seasonal and inter-annual variability. There has been a substantial reduction in water resources in the Duero basin (Iberian Peninsula, Spain) and other areas of the Mediterranean region during the last 50 years, and this is likely to continue because of climate change. In this study, we investigated the evolution and trends in high and low flows in the Spanish part of the Duero basin, and in equivalent or closely-related precipitation indices for the period 1961–2005. The results showed a general trend of decrease in the frequency and magnitude of high flows throughout most of the basin. Moreover, the number of days with low flows significantly increased over this period. No clear relationship was evident between the evolution of high/low flows and changes in the distribution frequencies of the precipitation series. In contrast to what was expected, the number of days with heavy precipitation and the mean annual precipitation did not show significant trends across the basin, and the number of days without rainfall decreased slightly. The divergence between precipitation and runoff evolution was more accentuated in spring and summer. In the absence of trends in precipitation, it is possible that reforestation processes in the region, and increasing temperatures in recent decades, could be related to the decreasing frequency of high flows and the increasing frequency of low flows. Editor Z.W. Kundzewicz; Associate editor S. Grimaldi Citation Morán-Tejeda, E. , López-Moreno, J.I. , Vicente-Serrano, S.M. , Lorenzo-Lacruz, J. and Ceballos-Barbancho, A. , 2012. The contrasted evolution of high and low flows and precipitation indices in the Duero basin (Spain). Hydrological Sciences Journal, 57 (4), 591–611.
An organic geochemical assessment of oceanographic conditions at Manop Site C over the past 26,000 years

Eleven sediment samples taken downcore and representing the past 26 kyr of deposition at MANOP site C (0°57.2′N, 138°57.3′W) were analyzed for lipid biomarker composition. Biomarkers of both terrestrial and marine sources of organic carbon were identified. In general, concentration profiles for these biomarkers and for total organic carbon (TOC) displayed three common stratigraphic features in the time series: (1) a maximum within the surface sediment mixed layer (≤4 ka); (2) a broad minimum extending throughout the interglacial deposit; and (3) a deep, pronounced maximum within the glacial deposit. Using the biomarker records, a simple binary mixing model is described that assesses the proportion of terrestrial to marine TOC in these sediments. Best estimates from this model suggest that ≈20% of the TOC is land-derived, introduced by long-range eolian transport, and the remainder is derived from marine productivity. The direct correlation between the records for terrestrial and marine TOC with depth in this core fits an interpretation that primary productivity at site C has been controlled by wind-driven upwelling at least over the last glacial/interglacial cycle. The biomarker records place the greatest wind strength and highest primary productivity within the time frame of 18 to 22 kyr B.P. Diagenetic effects limit our ability to ascertain directly from the biomarker records the absolute magnitude that different types of primary productivity have changed at this ocean location over the past 26 kyr.
Registration of multi-aspect InSAR images

The extensive knowledge of scenes is necessary for change detection or mission planning. Unfortunately, InSAR images have zones with full or partial loss of information, e.g. in shadow areas. We have developed an algorithm for registration and fusion of multi-aspect InSAR images to replace shadow zones in the image of the first aspect by corresponding data taken from another aspect. The investigations were carried out with using of X band images obtained for two aspects. The two aspect images were recorded from two contrary flight courses. The images were delivered as intensity and unwrapped phase of forest, rural and urban terrain. The registration is based on the consecutive application of three separate matching algorithms: matching straight lines, matching contour sequences, and matching based on the Fourier-Mellin transform. The different matching algorithms are optimized for working with the SAR images having different contents. The main peculiarities of the registration algorithm are the methods of structural matching brightness contours calculated by standard edge filters. The shadow borders are excluded from the gradient field by a heuristic algorithm. The contours are extracted by a watershed- or a maximum gradient tracking algorithm. The matching is very robust. It is rather computationally expensive, thus a hierarchical structural matching is used to decrease the computational complexity. The multi-stage contour matching provides a fast and reliable registration and fusion.
Predation risk by largemouth bass modulates feeding functional responses of native and non-native crayfish

Context-dependency is prevalent in nature, challenging our understanding and prediction of the potential ecological impacts of non-native species (NNS). The presence of a top predator, for example, can modify the foraging behaviour of an intermediate consumer, by means of non-consumptive effects. This raises the question of whether the fear of predation might modulate consumption rates of NNS, thus shaping the magnitude of ecological impacts. Here, we quantified the functional feeding responses of three non-native crayfish species – red swamp crayfish Procambarus clarkii , rusty crayfish Faxonius rusticus and virile crayfish Faxonius virilis – compared to the native analogue signal crayfish Pacifastacus leniusculus , considering the predation risk imposed by a top fish predator, the globally invasive largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides . We applied the comparative functional response (FR) approach using snails as prey and exposing crayfish to water containing predator and dietary chemical cues or not. All crayfish species presented a destabilising Type II FR, regardless of the presence of chemical cues. Predation risk resulted in significantly longer handling times or lower attack rates in non-native crayfish; however, no significant differences were observed in signal crayfish. We estimated per capita impacts for each species using the functional response ratio (FRR; attack rate divided by handling time). The FRR metric was lower for all crayfish species when exposed to predation risk. Rusty crayfish demonstrated the highest FRR in the absence of chemical cues, followed by signal crayfish, virile crayfish and red swamp crayfish. By contrast, the FRR of signal crayfish was nearly twice that of rusty crayfish and virile crayfish and ten times greater than red swamp crayfish when chemical cues were present. The latter result agrees with the well-recognised ecological impacts of signal crayfish throughout its globally-introduced range. This study demonstrates the importance of considering the non-consumptive effects of predators when quantifying the ecological impacts of intermediate non-native consumers on prey. The direction and magnitude of the modulating effects of predators have clear implications for our understanding of NNS impacts and the prioritisation of management actions.
Commande MIMO LPV /H ∞ de suspension semi-active

Cet article presente une nouvelle commande LPV /H∞ de suspension semi-active qui prend en compte les trois mouvements principaux de la dynamique verticale du vehicule (rebond, roulis et tangage) qui affectent le confort des passagers. La nouvelle approche, utilisant la detection des mouvements du vehicule, a pour objectif de concevoir un controleur qui adapte les forces de suspension dans les quatre coins selon les mouvements du vehicule, pour attenuer les vibrations induites par la route. L' idee principale de cette strategie est d'utiliser trois parametres variants, representant la distribution de mouvement dans la dynamique de la voiture, afin d'adapter et distribuer efficacement les actionneurs de suspension. La strategie de detection du mouvement se base sur une methode de calcul energetique [20]. Un modele vertical a 7 degres de liberte (DOF) du vehicule est utilise pour decrire les mouvements du châssis et des roues, et de synthetiser le regulateur LPV. Ce regulateur est concu dans le cadre H∞/LPV pour les systemes polytopiques. Des resultats de simulation sont presentes pour valider l'approche proposee.
Coincident magnetotelluric, P‐wave and S‐wave images of the deep continental crust beneath the Weardale granite, NE England: seismic layering, low conductance and implications against the fluids paradigm

SUMMARY It has been postulated that deep crustal zones of both enhanced electrical conductivity and seismic layering may be ascribed a single physical explanation, and more specifically that both result from the presence of free, interconnected fluids around the brittle‐ ductile transition zone. We analyse three complementary geophysical data sets— broadband (10’2‐104 s) magnetotelluric (MT) and P-wave and S-wave deep seismic reflection—from coincident profiles traversing the Weardale granite in northeast England and demonstrate that the lowermost crust in this tectonically stable region contains insuY cient free fl uid to explain the highv P /v S ratios associated with very bright, subhorizontal lamellae seen within the lower crust (below 22 km depth) beneath the granite. Temperature‐depth profiles are presented, and the apparent global correlation between the depths to the tops of zones of enhanced conductivity, seismic reflectivity and inferred brittle‐ductile temperatures of 300‐450°C is also re-examined. The seismic layering demonstrably corresponds to higher temperatures than those usually attributed to the brittle‐ductile transition zone. A priori information of diVerent scalelengths is applied to the problem of static-shift correction of the MT data. Gravity models constrain the depth extent of the granite batholith, whilst pre-existing DC measurements and a borehole drilled into the granite provide information concerning the resistivity structure of the uppermost 500 m. A 3-D model study investigates the significance of possible 3-D induction eVects on the MT data, as implied following application of decomposition. Our results challenge the widespread and little-tested assumption that deep crustal conductors and seismic layering are physically interrelated and occur at the same depth. With static shift and 3-D eVects in the MT data accounted for, we demonstrate that below the Weardale granite the onset of any enhanced conductivity is shallower than the top of the seismic layering, and furthermore that the observed deep crustal conductance of less than 200 S is significantly less than that to be expected (>2000 S) if the high v P /v S ratios calculated from the seismic data are to be explained entirely by fluids. The total conductance of the mid to lower crustal region combined is too low to allow for the significant quantities of free fluids required to explain lower crustal seismic layering through this medium without challenging current hypotheses concerning pore geometries and interconnectivity.
impact of contextual information and a secondary task on anticipation performance: interpretation using Cognitive Load Theory

The Abstract When performing under severe time constraints, sports performers use kinematic and contextual 2 information to facilitate anticipation. We examined the relative importance of these two information sources and 3 their impact on cognitive load and anticipation performance. Cognitive Load Theory (CLT) predicts that adding 4 more information sources to a task will increase cognitive load in less-skilled but not skilled performers. Skilled 5 and less-skilled cricket batters anticipated deliveries from bowlers on a life-size screen under four conditions 6 that manipulated access to contextual information and included a secondary task. The presence of context 7 enhanced anticipation accuracy for both skilled and less-skilled groups, without affecting cognitive load. Skilled 8 performers used sequencing and game-related contextual information in addition to kinematic information to 9 facilitate anticipation, while both groups reported using information pertaining to opponent positioning. 10 Findings highlight the importance of context in anticipation and suggest that the addition of context may not 11 necessarily negatively impact cognitive load. 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
Stratospheric HCl from infrared spectra

HCl has been observed in the stratosphere from balloon borne spectroscopic measurements of a portion of the fundamental band in the 3 microns wavelength region. The observation of absorption lines using the sun as a source at solar zenith angles larger than 90° indicates an HCl volume mixing ratio equal to (3.8 ± 1.5) × 10−10 at 20 km increasing with altitude at least up to 30 km where the value is (1.4 ± 0.6) × 10−9. The total zenith amount above 21 km is found to be (10± 3.5) × 10−14 cm−2 in agreement with previous observations performed up to this altitude. A maximum number density equal to (7.2 ± 3) × 108 cm−3 is observed at 24 ± 2 km altitude.
Aeolian Processes and Features on Venus

Aeolian features on Venus include dune fields, eroded hills (yardangs), wind streaks, (miniature dunes of 10 to 30 cm wavelength). Although and possibly microdunes (in repetitive imaging by Magellan did show changes in the appearance of the surface, these changes are attributed to radar artifacts as a consequence of look direction rather than to physical changes of the surface. Nonetheless, measurements of wind speeds near the surface of Venus and wind tunnel simulations suggest that aeolian processes could be currently active on Venus. Study of radar images of terrestrial analogs shows that radar wavelength, polarization, and viewing geometry, including look direction and incidence angle, all influence the detection of dunes, yardangs, and wind streaks. For best detection, dune crests and yardangs should be oriented perpendicular to look direction. Longer wavelength systems can penetrate sand sheets a meter or more thick, rendering them invisible, especially in arid regions. For wind streaks to be visible, there must be a contrast in surface properties between the streak and the background on which it occurs. Nonetheless, more than 6000 aeolian features have been found on Magellan images of Venus, the most common of which are various wind streaks. Mapping wind streak orientations enables near-surface wind patterns to be inferred for the time of their formation. Type P streaks are associated with parabolic ejecta crater deposits and are considered to have formed in association with the impact event. Most Type P streaks are oriented westward, indicative of the upper altitude superrotation winds of Venus. Non Type P streaks have occurrences and orientations consistent with Hadley circulation. Some streaks in the southern hemisphere are oriented to the northeast, suggesting a Coriolis effect.