Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Quantifying sources of uncertainty in regional climate model scenarios for Ireland

This thesis develops a novel framework for model skill assessment and the generation of probabilistic future climate scenarios. Traditional approaches to model validation assume that skill in simulating the mean climate is a valid indicator of skill in modelling the climate system. However, without information about how errors arise, conclusions cannot be drawn about whether models are genuinely skilful. Initially, verification statistics are used to assess model skill in simulating seasonal means and variability of Irish climate for 1961-1990. Significant biases were identified, however without further analysis, these biases cannot be attributed to a cause. Therefore, a spatial analysis, including EOF analysis, was undertaken which indicated that biases may be either spatially consistent (systematic) or inconsistent (random), an important distinction. Next, representation of a key large-scale driver of Irish climate, the North Atlantic Oscillation, was examined for a representative subsample of models. Skill in simulating the NAO was found to vary considerably between models. Therefore, assessing statistics of mean climate may not be the optimum way to characterize model skill, as deficiencies in the representation of large-scale drivers may not be detected. Both quantitative and qualitative information from the skill assessments was used to inform probabilistic ensemble projections of future climate using Bayesian Model Averaging. In some cases, weighting scheme variation affects the ensemble PDF shape. In other cases, PDFs are similar when different weights are used, but the relative contributions of ensemble members vary. This is a crucial finding, as this underlying variation may not be immediately apparent, but may affect the confidence attached to the PDF. Therefore, robustness of ensemble generation methods must be considered when determining the level of confidence attached to a projection. Finally, the implications of these results for climate decision-making are discussed and recommendations for the use of climate models in decision-making are presented.
Micro Expression Recognition Using Convolution Patch in Vision Transformer

Humans possess an intrinsic ability to hide their true emotions. Micro-expressions are subtle changes in facial muscles that are involuntary by nature and easy to hide. To address these issues, several machine and deep learning models have been proposed in the past few years. Convolution neural network (CNN) is a deep learning method that has widely been adopted in vision-related tasks due to its remarkable performance. However, CNN suffers from overfitting due to a large number of trainable parameters. Additionally, CNN cannot capture global information with respect to an input image. Furthermore, the identification of important regions for the classification of micro-expressions is a challenging task. Self-attention mechanism addresses these issues by focusing on key areas. Furthermore, specific transformers, known as vision transformers are widely explored in vision-related applications. However, existing vision transformers divide an input image into a fixed number of patches due to which local correlation of image pixels is lost. Further, a vision transformer relies on self-attention mechanism which effectively captures global dependencies but does not exploit the local spatial relationships in an image. In this work, we propose a vision transformer based on convolution patches to overcome this problem. The proposed algorithm generates $c $ number of feature maps from input images using $c $ filters through convolution operation. These feature maps are then applied to a transformer model as fixed-size image patches to perform classification. Thus, the proposed architecture leverages advantages of both convolutional layers and transformer, and captures both spatial information and global dependencies respectively, leading to improved performance. The performance of the proposed model is evaluated on three benchmark datasets: CASME-I, CASME-II, and SAMM and compared with state-of-the-art machine and deep learning models, which generated classification accuracy of 95.97%, 98.59%, and 100%, respectively.
My Fish Tank: An Active Learning Activity for Bacterial Nitrogen Metabolism

This active learning activity introduces students to the second part of the nitrogen cycle, nitrification. In terrestrial and aquatic environments, bacteria from the Nitrosomonas and Nitrobacter genera oxidize ammonia first to nitrite (via a hydroxylamine intermediate) and then to nitrate, which is less toxic to animals such as the fish in a fish tank. Nitrification has many practical implications, for example in waste water treatment, but also for those wanting to set up their own fish tank. The activity consists of a pre-class reading, a 50-minute class session, and a home assignment. The class session covers two exercises, each consisting of a group discussion, followed by student reporting, and a compilation of information by the instructor. Students will identify animal nitrogen waste products and fish skin bacteria that are involved in nitrification. Students will also identify the metabolic reactions of the nitrogen cycle, the oxidative state of nitrogen in four metabolic compounds, and the number of electrons transferred through each reaction. The third and final exercise is the take-home assignment, where students write about how they would set up their own fish tank and take care of their fish based on knowledge gained from the in-class exercise.
Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump among Shockable Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest Patients: A Propensity-Weighted Analysis in a Multicenter, Nationwide Observational Study in Japan (The JAAM-OHCA Registry)

Background: The effectiveness of IABP for shockable out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) has not been extensively investigated. This study aimed to investigate whether the use of an intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) for non-traumatic shockable OHCA patients was associated with favorable neurological outcomes. Methods: From the Japanese Association for Acute Medicine Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest registry, a nationwide multicenter prospective registry, we enrolled adult patients with non-traumatic and shockable OHCA for whom resuscitation was attempted, and who were transported to participating hospitals between 2014 and 2019. The primary outcome was 1-month survival with favorable neurological outcomes after OHCA. After adopting the propensity score (PS) inverse probability of weighting (IPW), we evaluated the association between IABP and favorable neurological outcomes. Results: Of 57,754 patients in the database, we included a total of 2738 adult non-traumatic shockable patients. In the original cohort, the primary outcome was lower in the IABP group (OR with 95% confidence intervals (CIs)), 0.57 (0.48–0.68), whereas, in the IPW cohort, it was not different between patients with and without IABP (OR, 1.18; 95% CI, 0.91–1.53). Conclusion: In adult patients with non-traumatic shockable OHCA, IABP use was not associated with 1-month survival with favorable neurological outcomes.
Optical flow-free generative and adversarial network: generative and adversarial network-based video super-resolution method by optical flow-free motion estimation and compensation

Abstract. Except for recovering the image detail texture information, the main difference between video super-resolution (VSR) and single-image super-resolution (SR) is that VSR focuses on alleviating the deficiency of temporal coherence between video frames. Motion estimation and motion compensation is the common technique used to strengthen the temporal correlation between frames. Most motion estimation methods are based on optical flow. The optical flow method has three basic assumptions: the movement scale is small; the luminance channel is constant; and every pixel in the same image has the same moving trend. In some scenes with complex motion, the accuracy of the underlying optical flow estimator is limited, which leads to artifacts in the video reconstruction. In recent years, generative adversarial network (GAN) has been widely used for VSR reconstruction, which can acquire more realistic texture details for single frame reconstruction. Based on the above reasons, we explore a GAN-based VSR method by optical flow-free motion estimation and compensation [optical flow-free generative and adversarial network (COFGAN)], which completes motion estimation by producing temporal dimension. COFGAN develops better motion estimation result and improves the performance of VSR without optical flow. To verify the motion estimation effect in complex scenes, long-term sequence real dynamic scene dataset realistic and dynamic scenes is applied for training and testing. We compare the performance of proposed COFGAN with earlier works such as video enhancement with task-oriented flow (TOFlow), frame-recurrent video super-resolution (FRVSR), learning temporal coherence via self-supervision for GAN-based video generation (TecoGAN), and so on. Our method achieves significant performance in the temporal coherence metrics performance of learning perceptual image patch similarity (tLP) (0.47) and performance of optical flow estimation (tOF) (7.07) with ×4 up-scaling factor. Compared to the best performance method TecoGAN in previous work, the proposed method promotes 29% of tLP and 26% of tOF. Moreover, COFGAN reaches the best accuracy on the commonly used video sequence datasets Vid4 and ToS3.
Malleability of spatial skills: bridging developmental psychology and toy design for joyful STEAM development

Previous research has established that advances in spatial cognition predict STEAM success, and construction toys provide ample opportunities to foster spatial cognition. Despite various construction toy designs in the market, mostly brick-shaped building blocks are used in spatial cognition research. This group of toys is known to enhance mental rotation; however, mental rotation is not the only way to comprehend the environment three-dimensionally. More specifically, mental folding and perspective taking training have not received enough attention as they can also be enhanced with the construction toys, which are framed based on the 2×2 classification of spatial skills (intrinsic-static, intrinsic-dynamic, extrinsic-static, extrinsic-dynamic). To address these gaps, we compile evidence from both developmental psychology and toy design fields to show the central role played by mental folding and perspective taking skills as well as the importance of the variety in toy designs. The review was conducted systematically by searching peer reviewed design and psychology journals and conference proceedings. We suggest that, over and above their physical properties, construction toys offer affordances to elicit spatial language, gesture, and narrative among child-caregiver dyads. These interactions are essential for the development of spatial skills in both children and their caregivers. As developmental psychology and toy design fields are two domains that can contribute to the purpose of developing construction toys to boost spatial skills, we put forward six recommendations to bridge the current gaps between these fields. Consequently, new toy designs and empirical evidence regarding malleability of different spatial skills can contribute to the informal STEAM development.
Establishment of hypertension risk nomograms based on physical fitness parameters for men and women: a cross-sectional study

Objective This study aims to establish hypertension risk nomograms for Chinese male and female adults, respectively. Method A series of questionnaire surveys, physical assessments, and biochemical indicator tests were performed on 18,367 adult participants in China. The optimization of variable selection was conducted by running cyclic coordinate descent with 10-fold cross-validation through the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression. The nomograms were built by including the predictors selected through multivariable logistic regression. Calibration plots, receiver operating characteristic curves (ROC), decision curve analysis (DCA), clinical impact curves (CIC), and net reduction curve plots (NRC) were used to validate the models. Results Out of a total of 18 variables, 5 predictors—namely age, body mass index, waistline, hipline, and resting heart rate—were identified for the hypertension risk predictive model for men with an area under the ROC of 0.693 in the training set and 0.707 in the validation set. Seven predictors—namely age, body mass index, body weight, cardiovascular disease history, waistline, resting heart rate, and daily activity level—were identified for the hypertension risk predictive model for women with an area under the ROC of 0.720 in the training set and 0.748 in the validation set. The nomograms for both men and women were externally well-validated. Conclusion Gender differences may induce heterogeneity in hypertension risk prediction between men and women. Besides basic demographic and anthropometric parameters, information related to the functional status of the cardiovascular system and physical activity appears to be necessary.
Atlantic Ocean water mass distribution over the past 32,000 yrs from Nd isotopes in deep-sea corals

Anoxia is rare in the modern oceans. Thus, the rigorous testing of proxies used to infer anoxic conditions in the ancient ocean is difficult. Trace metals, and their emerging isotope systems, are both increasingly used as such proxies. This presentation will highlight recent advances in our understanding of the cycles of trace metals in the environment, particularly Mo, and assess the implications of these advances for the interpretation of the geological record. Closed oceanic mass balances are an essential component of the use of any proxy for past oceanic conditions. In this regard, the recent realisation that the Mo isotopic composition of the riverine flux to the oceans is significantly heavier than the bulk continental crust [1] has important implications for data for the past oceans. Ongoing work [2, 3] suggests that Mo isotopic fractionation in soils may control rivers, and that such fractionation is an inevitable consequence of chemical weathering under an oxic atmosphere. Such findings imply that the modern riverine isotopic signal may be relevant to all of Earth history since the early Proterozoic. The anoxic events that have been studied record isotopic values very like the input flux to the modern oceans. Thus the new riverine data imply much greater euxinia during both Jurassic OAEs [4] and in a postulated Proterozoic sulphidic ocean [5]. At the other end of the cycle, new field and laboratory studies are pushing forward our understanding of the fractionations of Mo isotopes into sediments. For example, Mo isotope fractionation on adsorption to Fe (oxyhydr) oxides is substantial [6], and has the potential to elucidate the suboxic conditions that must preceed full development of anoxic conditions during OAEs. Finally, studies of pore water and sediments beneath modern anoxic but non sulphidic ocean basins, such as Gulfo Dulce [7] inform Mo isotope studies in Archean sediments.
The incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma and clearance of hepatitis B surface for CHB patients in the indeterminate phase: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background Nearly 30%–40% of patients with chronic hepatitis B do not fall into any of the traditional natural history classification and thus are classified as indeterminate. However, it is unclear whether patients in the indeterminate phase (IP) are at a higher risk for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) than those in the defined phases (DP) and would benefit from antiviral therapy. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of HCC incidence and HBsAg clearance among patients in the IP versus DP. Methods We defined the clinical phases as per the AASLD 2018 hepatitis B guidance. We searched PubMed, Embase, Medline, and Web of Science for relevant studies that reported HCC incidence or HBsAg clearance in IP versus DP patients published between January 2007 and March 2023. Annual HCC incidence and HBsAg clearance rates were pooled using a random/common-effects model. Results We analyzed data from 14 studies, comprising 7798 IP patients (222 patients developed HCC and 239 achieved HBsAg clearance) and 10,725 DP patients. The pooled annual HCC incidence was 2.54 cases per 1,000 person-years (95% CI, 1.14–4.39) and HBsAg clearance rate was 12.36 cases per 1,000 person-years (95% CI, 10.70–14.13) for the IP patients. IP patients were associated with significantly higher HCC incidence risk (RR = 1.64, 95% CI, 1.34–2.00) and slightly lower annual HBsAg clearance rate (RR = 0.83, 95% CI, 0.70–0.99) than the DP patients. In addition, HBeAg-negative IP patients (2.31%; 95% CI, 0.87–4.45) showed a significantly higher HCC incidence than those who were HBeAg positive (0.00%; 95% CI, 0.00–0.99) (p< 0.001). The Asia-Pacific region IP patients (4.30%; 95% CI, 2.07–7.27) were also associated with a higher HCC incidence versus Europe (0.05%; 95% CI, 0.00–1.39) (p< 0.001). However, there were no significant differences between different strategies (treated vs. untreated: 2.56%; 95% CI, 1.01–4.63 vs. 1.61%; 95% CI, 0.00–5.81, p = 0.09), and heterogeneity was substantial across the studies (I2 = 89%). Conclusion The systematic review and meta-analysis showed a high HCC incidence and low HBsAg clearance among patients in the IP, especially for HBeAg-negative patients and the Asian population. We emphasize that future multicenter prospective cohort studies or randomized trials are needed to verify if expanding antiviral therapy for patients in the IP is associated with reduced HCC risk or good treatment outcomes.
Microanatomical findings with relevance to trigeminal ganglion enhancement on post-contrast T1-weighted magnetic resonance images in dogs

Introduction Trigeminal ganglion contrast enhancement (TGCE) is reported to be a normal and a common finding on magnetic resonance imaging studies of dogs, cats and humans. The intent of the present study was to describe the anatomical characteristics of the trigeminal ganglion, its surrounding structures, and histological features that are relevant to explain or hypothesize on the reason for TGCE on T1-weighted post-contrast MRI studies of the brain in dogs. Methods Eight dog cadavers were dissected to study the anatomy of the trigeminal ganglion. The presence and anatomy of vessels was studied by dissection and by histological techniques. Two trigeminal ganglia were isolated and stained with hematoxylin–eosin (HE). Two other trigeminal ganglia included in the trigeminal canal and trigeminal cavity were decalcified with formic acid/formalin for 12 weeks and stained with HE to study the related vessels. Additionally, a corrosion cast was obtained from a separate canine specimen. Results Leptomeninges and a subarachnoid space were identified at the level of the trigeminal nerve roots and the trigeminal ganglion. No subarachnoid space was identified and leptomeninges were no longer present at the level of the three trigeminal nerve branches. Small arterial vessels ran to and supplied the trigeminal ganglion, passing through the dura mater. No venous plexus was visualized at the level of the trigeminal ganglion in the dissections. A complex arterial vascular network was identified within the leptomeningeal covering of the trigeminal ganglion and was best appreciated in the corrosion cast. Histological examination revealed small-to moderate-sized blood vessels located in the epineurium around the ganglion; from there a multitude of arterioles penetrated into the perineurium. Small endoneurial branches and capillaries penetrated the ganglion and the trigeminal nerve branches. Discussion Limitations to this study include the limited number of canine specimens included and the lack of electron microscopy to further support current hypotheses included in our discussion. In conclusion, this study provides further support to the theory that TGCE in dogs may be due an incomplete blood-nerve barrier or blood-ganglion barrier at the interface between the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system.
History Makes the Future: Iterative Learning Control for High-Speed Trains

With the development of high-speed rail transportation, the automatic train operation (ATO) of high-speed trains (HSTs) has attracted considerable attention in the fields of both theoretical research and engineering practice. The core task of ATO is trajectory tracking. As an intelligent control method that imitates human learning behavior, iterative learning control (ILC) has been widely applied to various trajectory tracking problems. Owing to the remarkable repetitiveness of HST operation and distinct characteristics of ILC, ILC is regarded as a promising and potential method to track the desired speed trajectory of HSTs. Therefore, various ILC schemes have been designed for HSTs. This article presents a survey on ILC for HSTs and provides an overview of related research results. First, we provide a brief background on ATO and ILC and explain why the ILC application is considered for the ATO of HSTs. Then, we divide the existing ILC schemes for HSTs into two categories, namely, model based and model free, according to whether they are based on the train dynamic model. Based on these schemes, we introduce model-based and model-free ILC, respectively. Next, considering that HST operation is a complex process that may encounter various issues, we introduce extensions of ILC for HSTs to address these issues. The extensions are summarized from three aspects: accurate dynamic models, safety, and diversified control objectives. Finally, we present promising directions for future research. We believe that the results of this survey can provide a general concept of the current progress in applying ILC to HSTs.
Penguins : natural history and conservation

Global Penguin SocietyIntroduction I. LARGE PENGUINS GENUS APTENODYTES1. King Penguin (Aptenodytes patagonicus) 2. Emperor Penguin (Aptenodytes forsteri) II. BRUSH-TAILED PENGUINS GENUS PYGOSCELIS3. Adelie Penguin (Pygoscelis adeliae) 4. Chinstrap Penguin (Pygoscelis antarctica)5. Gentoo Penguin (Pygoscelis papua) III. YELLOW-EYED PENGUIN GENUS MEGADYPTES6. Yellow-Eyed Penguin (Megadyptes antipodes) IV. CRESTED PENGUINS GENUS EUDYPTES7. Southern Rockhopper Penguin (Eudyptes chrysocome) 8. Northern Rockhopper Penguin (Eudyptes moseleyi) 9. Erect-Crested Penguin (Eudyptes sclateri) 10. Fiordland Penguin (Eudyptes pachyrhynchus) 11. Snares Penguin (Eudyptes robustus) 12. Macaroni Penguin (Eudyptes chrysolophus) and Royal Penguin (Eudyptes schlegeli) V. BANDED PENGUINS GENUS SPHENISCUS13. African Penguin (Spheniscus demersus) 14. Magellanic Penguin (Spheniscus magellanicus) 15. Humboldt Penguin (Spheniscus humboldti)16. Galapagos Penguin (Spheniscus mendiculus) VI. LITTLE (OR BLUE) PENGUIN GENUS EUDYPTULA17. Little Penguin (Eudyptula minor) Conclusion Acknowledgments Contributors