Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Constraints on the Ratio between Tropical Land and Ocean Precipitation Derived from a Conceptual Water Balance Model

Which processes control the mean amounts of precipitation received by tropical land and ocean? Do large-scale constraints exist on the ratio between the two? We address these questions using a conceptual box model based on water balance equations. With empirical but physically motivated parametrizations of the water balance components, we construct a set of coupled differential equations which describe the dynamical behavior of the water vapor content over land and ocean as well as the land’s soil moisture content. For a closed model configuration with one ocean and one land box, we compute equilibrium solutions across the parameter space and analyze their sensitivity to parameter choices. The precipitation ratio χ, defined as the ratio between mean land and ocean precipitation rates, quantifies the land-sea precipitation contrast. We find that χ is bounded between zero and one as long as the presence of land does not affect the relationship between water vapor path and precipitation. However, for the tested parameter values, 95% of the obtained χ values are even larger than 0.75. The sensitivity analysis reveals that χ is primarily controlled by the efficiency of atmospheric moisture transport rather than by land surface parameters. We further investigate under which conditions precipitation enhancement over land (χ > 1) would be possible. An open model configuration with an island between two ocean boxes and nonzero external advection into the domain can yield χ values larger than one, but only for a small subset of parameter choices, characterized by small land fractions and a sufficiently large moisture influx through the windward boundary.
Large-eddy simulation of turbulent mixing layers

Large eddy simulations of turbulent mixing layers starting from a laminar profile have been performed using an incompressible psuedo-spectral code and a compressible finite-volume code. The simulations were done at both moderateand high-Reynolds numbers (final full-width Reynolds number of w 11,000, and sa 10) at low Mach number (M = 0.1). The results of the simulations are compared with direct numerical simulations and experimental data.
A control scheme robust against all parameter variations and disturbances

A systematic theory is given for the output-sliding control (OSC)of linear time-invariant systems with concentrated parameters. It is shown that the output tracking error can be guaranteed to converge to zero with an exponential rate. The closed-loop eigenvalues in the sliding mode can be effectively assigned by the use of OSC. System robustness is achieved with respect to a larger class of disturbances and parameter variations than that by the use of conventional state-sliding control (SSC). Supporting techniques are given for the implementation of the theory. An illustrative example is studied to show the superiority of OSC over SSC.
Dipolar magnetic fields of spin excitations in vortex-state cylindrical ferromagnetic dots

A study of the effects of the dynamic dipolar magnetic fields on spin mode dynamics in circular cylindrical magnetic dots in vortex-state at zero applied fields is presented. The out-of-core and core dipolar magnetic fields are calculated exactly for both axially symmetric and nonaxially symmetric spin modes in terms of the nonlocal tensorial Green’s-function. The exactly calculated spin mode eigenfrequencies are compared with those obtained using the local dipolar approximation for permalloy disks. The validity of the local dipolar approximation is discussed for radii ranging from the nanometric to the micrometric scale and for different thicknesses in the nanometric range. In the comparison both the case where the dynamic magnetization is assumed uniform along the thickness and the case where a thickness dependence is present are considered. In this framework, a simple formula giving the frequency splitting of the nonaxially symmetric modes m, n is obtained. The calculated splitting compares well with the measured splitting at different aspect ratios. We also show that the general effect of the static exchange field arising from the “curling” configuration causes a downshift of the spin mode frequencies in nanometric dots. This behavior is similar to that of the demagnetizing field in the saturated state.
Herschel-SPIRE satellite instrument: configurable on-board software for autonomous and real time operation

The Herschel SPIRE On-Board Software (OBS) is presented. This real time operational software controls the scientific data transmission and keeps a control layer between the SPIRE Mission Timeline (MTL) and the real instruments status. It embeds a multithreaded engine that interprets control procedures for the detector and mechanism subsystems. An autonomous monitoring agent keeps control of subsystems status, and takes local decisions based on pre-loaded reaction maps. The behaviour of low level system functions is configurable remotely via the reactions maps and control procedures.
THE TRIBOLIUM MODEL AND THE MATHEMATICS 4036 OF POPULATION GROWTH

The Tribolium model, christened by Neyman, Park & Scott in 1956 (57), was born in the mid-I920s in the 1aboratory of R. N. Chapman. It began as a laboratory experimental system for studying the growth and regulation of closed, single-species populations of flour beetles. However, from its incep­ tion, mathematical aspects of the model could be visualized. Indeed, Chap­ man's first population study (8) apparently was motivated by the success of applied mathematics in the physical sciences, and he devised his experiments in order to provide precise quantitati ve measures of the biotic and environ­ mental "constants" which he believed were necessary for a mathematical description of population growth. Over the years, as the laboratory experimental model expanded in new directions, Tribolium ecology continued to draw on mathematical ecology, but, more and more, the Tribolium experiments stimulated the mathe­ maticians. It is the purpose of this article to provide a critical review of the role which each field played in the development of the other. In particular, I hope to convey to other ecologists some of the lessons which Tribolium workers have extracted from their experience using mathematical and lab­ oratory models in conjunction with one another. Strictly mathematical considerations are not the subject of this review; these have been treated in book form by other authors who are much better qualified in this regard (2,� 11, 15,36,49,78). The term, "Tribolium model," may be thought of as a scientific idiom applying to a collection of experimental systems and mathematical formula­ tions devised for exploring the population biology of flour beetles. The collec­ tion is really a family and, in part, a hierarchy of models and nonmodels. But as a collection it has the following qualities usually associated with models: 1. it is an abstraction and simplification, not a facsimile, of nature; 2. except for the beetles themselves, it is a man-made construct, partly empirical and partIy deductive; and 3. it is used to provide insights into natural phenomena. Some parts of the Tribolium model consist of machineries, either experimental or computational, and capable of generating artificial realiza
Variable and single neighbourhood diving for MIP feasibility

In this paper, we propose two new diving heuristics for finding a feasible solution for a mixed integer programming problem, called variable neighbourhood (VN) diving and single neighbourhood (SN) diving, respectively. They perform systematic hard variable fixing (i.e. diving) by exploiting the information obtained from a series of LP relaxations, in order to generate a sequence of subproblems. Pseudo cuts are added during the search process to avoid revisiting the same search space areas. VN diving is based on the variable neighbourhood decomposition search framework. Conversely, SN diving explores only a single neighbourhood in each iteration: if a feasible solution is not found, then the next reference solution is chosen using the feasibility pump principle and the search history. Moreover, we prove that the two proposed algorithms converge in a finite number of iterations (i.e. either return a feasible solution of the input problem, or prove its infeasibility). We show that our proposed algorithms significantly outperform the CPLEX 12.4 MIP solver and the recent variants of feasibility pump regarding the solution quality.
First detection of winds in red giants by microwave continuum techniques

Eight red giants and supergiants have been observed at 4885 MHz (6 cm) with the Very Large Array in an attempt to detect continuum emission. The bright giant Alpha-1 Her (M5 II) was detected at an average flux density of 0.9 + or - 0.13 mJy. Since the likely source of this emission is an ionized, optically thick component of a stellar wind, this detection implies a mass loss rate of 2 x 10 to the -9th solar masses per yr for the ionized gas. The fraction of the outflow in Alpha-1 Her that is ionized (0.002-0.02) seems to be similar to that previously found for Alpha Ori and Alpha Sco A. Alpha Boo (K2 IIIp) and Beta Gem (K0 III) are probable and definite detections, respectively. The derived ionized mass loss rates for these two stars are about 1 x 10 to the -10th solar masses per yr, implying in the case of Alpha Boo that the wind is largely ionized.
Individual and collective fluid dynamics of swimming cells

Gravitational and viscous torques acting on swimming micro-organisms orient their trajectories. The horizontal component of the swimming velocity of individuals of the many algal genera having a centre of mass displaced toward the rear of the cell is therefore in the direction g × ([dtri ] × u), where g is the acceleration due to gravity. This phenomenon, called gyrotaxis, results in the cells swimming toward downward-flowing regions of their environment. Since the cells’ density is greater than that of water, regions of high (low) cell concentration sink (rise). The horizontal component of gyrotaxis reinforces this type of buoyant convection, whilst the vertical one maintains it. Gyrotactic buoyant convection results in the spontaneous generation of descending plumes containing high cell concentration, in spatially regular concentration/convection patterns, and in the perturbation of initially well-defined flow fields. This paper presents a height- and azimuth-independent steady-state solution of the Navier-Stokes and cell conservation equations. This solution, and the growth rate of a concentration fluctuation, are shown to be governed by a parameter similar to a Rayleigh number.
Antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of protein hydrolysate extracted from porcine liver

Protein hydrolysates were extracted from porcine liver using commercial proteases viz. alcalase, trypsin and papain. Porcine liver revealed appreciable amounts of protein (20.62%). Enzymatic hydrolysis of porcine liver hydrolysate (PLH) resulted in 23.56, 26.82 and 19.12% of degree of hydrolysis, respectively. Antioxidant activity such as 2â€“2 diphenylâ€“1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2, 2-azino-bis-3-ethyl-benzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS) and ferric ion reducing power (FRAP) radicals were determined for PLH. All PLH samples showed slight decrease in the pH during hydrolysis while, they scavenged 42.27, 57.49 and 40.32% of DPPH radicals, respectively at sixth hour of hydrolysis. Trypsin hydrolysed PLH exhibited highest ABTS radical scavenging activity (86.79%) than alcalase hydrolysed PLH (74.62%) and papain hydrolysed PLH (70.63%). FRAP of PLH samples were found to be 13.69, 14.92 and 12.65% for alcalase, trypsin and papain extracted PLH samples, respectively. PLH obtained from trypsin hydrolysis showed highest antimicrobial activity followed by papain and alcalase PLH, respectively. However, all PLH have the potential to be a protein rich ingredient for use in formulated meat products and possible help in reduction of oxidative and microbial deterioration.
Resonance frequency shift saturation in land mine burial simulation experiments

In the field of acoustic land mine detection, the mechanical resonant behavior of land mines has proven to be a feature key to this detection method’s success. Land mines are often interred at depths ranging from several millimeters to tens of centimeters. Thus, it is necessary to understand the effect of burial on the land mine’s resonances. Theoretical works on burial’s effects on land mine resonance frequency have reported varying results. In this work, burial simulation experiments in both water and sand using a land mine and a simulant have been performed to study the effect “burial” has on the resonance frequencies of a land mine. Saturation of the resonance frequency shift, i.e., the resonance frequency becomes constant after shifting due to added mass, is observed in both burial simulations. The experimental observations are qualitatively explained by recent theoretical work on the subject.
A Study of the Effects of Anisokinetic Sampling

The results of a numerical investigation of sampling bias through cylindrical probes are presented for both iso-and anisokinetic conditions for thin- and thick-walled probes. Laminar flow fields are calculated using a finite-difference solution of the Navier-Stokes equations; particle trajectories are then calculated with a fourth-order Runge-Kutta method to integrate the particle equation of motion. An ultra-Stokesian drag law and particle interception are included in the calculation. Based on a dimensional analysis of the problem and on the assumptions of the physical model, five dimensionless groups, Re, [Ubar]/U0, D/d, St, and ρ/(ρ p C) are identified that specify the aspiration coefficient, Ai=[Cbar]/Ca . Systematic investigations show that the tube Reynolds number, Re, and the slip-modified density ratio, ρ/(ρ p C), have only a minor influence in determining Ai . Calculations are made to determine the influence of the remaining groups—velocity ratio ([Ubar]/UB), diameter ratio (D/ d), and Stokes num.
Telic for whom? The Lexical Underspecification Hypothesis

Abstract The Aspect Hypothesis (AH) claims that L2 beginners use the perfective morpheme first with telic predicates (e.g., ‘arrive’, ‘build the house’) and only later with atelic ones (e.g., ‘know’, ‘work’). In contrast, the Lexical Underspecification Hypothesis (LUH) claims that beginners cannot represent the lexical aspect of L2 predicates (hence the telic vs. atelic distinction), because this distinction is a separate component of verb meaning. To investigate whether L2 learners distinguish between telic and atelic predicates, this study compares the responses from 299 L2 Italian learners (with different L1 backgrounds) and responses from 91 native speakers (NS) to the “for/in + time span” adverbial test (Dowty 1979). The analysis shows that native speakers and L2 learners’ responses to the adverbial test diverge significantly, with learners’ proficiency and – to a lesser extent – L1 modulating their ratings. The results suggest that native speakers and beginning-intermediate L2 learners might not represent telicity alike, either because L2 aspectual competence is still developing or because beginning learners rely on the semantic representations of their L1. These findings support the predictions of the LUH and suggest caution when trying to assess learners’ aspectual representations.
Prioritizing research on over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids for age-related hearing loss

Hearing aids are the most commonly used treatment for people with age-related hearing loss, however, hearing aid uptake is low, primarily due to high cost of the device, stigma, and a lack of perceived need. To address accessibility and affordability issues, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration created a new over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aid category. Various types of hearing devices are available for both individuals with hearing loss and for those with normal hearing, as hearing enhancement devices. Hearing aids (i.e., prescription hearing aids, self-fitting OTC hearing aids, and pre-set OTC hearing aids) are regulated by the FDA. The purpose of this article is to (a) provide a summary of existing research on direct-to-consumer (DTC) hearing devices such as Personal Sound Amplification Products (PSAPs) that informs OTC service delivery models; (b) provide an update on existing and ongoing randomized controlled trials on currently marketed OTC hearing aids; and (c) highlight the need for immediate research on OTC hearing aids and service delivery models to inform policy and clinical care. It remains to be seen what effect OTC hearing aids have on improving the uptake of hearing aids by individuals with mild-to-moderate hearing loss. However, there is scant research on all aspects of OTC hearing aids that are currently on the market. We conclude that high quality independent research must be prioritized to supplement evidence provided by the OTC hearing aid manufacturers for regulatory approval purposes.
Wave-based matching-pursuits detection of submerged elastic targets

Matching pursuits is a nonlinear algorithm which iteratively projects a given signal onto a complete dictionary of vectors. The dictionary is constructed such that it is well matched to the signals of interest and poorly matched to the noise, thereby affording the potential for denoising, by adaptively extracting an underlying signature from a noisy waveform. In the context of wave scattering and propagation, there are basic constituents that can be used to construct most measured waveforms. A dictionary of such constituents is used here, in the context of wave-based matching-pursuit processing of acoustic waves scattered from submerged elastic targets. It is demonstrated how wave-based matching pursuits can be utilized for denoising as well as to effect a detector, the latter being parametrized via its receiver operating characteristic (ROC). Results are presented using measured aspect-dependent (orientation-dependent) scattered waveforms, for the case of a submerged elastic shell.
Pancreatic cancer: Emerging field of regulatory B-cell-targeted immunotherapies

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), the most common type of pancreatic cancer, is characterized by a high mortality rate and poor prognosis. Current treatments for PDAC, are ineffective due to a prominent immunosuppressive PDAC tumor microenvironment (TME). Although B lymphocytes are highly infiltrated into PDAC, the importance of B lymphocytes in tumorigenesis is largely neglected. B cells play a dual role in the PDAC tumor microenvironment, acting as either anti-tumorigenic or pro-tumorigenic depending on where they are localized. Tumor-infiltrating B cells, which reside in ectopic lymph nodes, namely tertiary lymphoid structures (TLS), produce anti-tumor antibodies and present tumor antigens to T cells to contribute to cancer immunosurveillance. Alternatively, regulatory B cells (Bregs), dispersed inside the TME, contribute to the dampening of anti-tumor immune responses by secreting anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-10 and IL-35), which promote tumor growth and metastasis. Determining the role of Bregs in the PDAC microenvironment is thus becoming increasingly attractive for developing novel immunotherapeutic approaches. In this minireview, we shed light on the emerging role of B cells in PDAC development and progression, with an emphasis on regulatory B cells (Bregs). Furthermore, we discussed the potential link of Bregs to immunotherapies in PDAC. These current findings will help us in understanding the full potential of B cells in immunotherapy.
Insecticide Resistance and Its Management in Two Invasive Cryptic Species of Bemisia tabaci in China

The sweet potato whitefly Bemisia tabaci is a major agricultural pest with a wide host range throughout the world. The species designation for B. tabaci includes numerous distinct cryptic species or biotypes. Two invasive B. tabaci biotypes, MEAM1 (B) and MED (Q), were found in China at the end of the 20th century and at the beginning of the 21st century. MEAM1 (B) and MED (Q) show higher pesticide resistance levels than native strains, and the levels of resistance vary with changes in insecticide selection pressure. Recent studies have revealed metabolic resistance mechanisms and target site mutations in invasive B. tabaci strains that render them resistant to a range of insecticides and have uncovered the frequency of these resistance-related mutations in B. tabaci populations in China. Novel pest control agents, such as RNA-based pesticides and nano-pesticides, have achieved effective control effects in the laboratory and are expected to be applied for field control of B. tabaci in the future. In this review, we discuss the mechanisms of resistance developed by these invasive B. tabaci populations since their invasion into China. We also provide suggestions for ecologically sound and efficient B. tabaci control.
Pattern synthesis with a flush-mounted leaky-wave antenna on a conducting circular cylinder

This paper is co nce rned wit h the synthesis of a rad iation pattern in an eq uatorial p la ne s urrounding an infini te circu lar cy linder. A discussion of t he rad iation fi eld a bout s uch a c y linder leads to t he conclusion t hat a leaky-wave ante nn a can be ut ilized to provide the proper aperture d ist ribu t ion. Wi t h ka chosen sufficien t ly large to e nsure that prior theory concern ing t he inductive s lleet leaky-wave antenn a will apply, a Chebyshev distribut ion is a na lyzed . It is s hown that t he order of t he Chebys hev polynomina l mu st sat isfy N < ka cos "'0 sin 5N , wh er e <Po is t he angle of radiat ion measured fro m a nor mal to t he cylinder surface, a nd ON is the m ax imum deviat ion from t his a ngle . The radiation angle is given by <po= arc s in ({3 / k), w here (3 is a constant which is t he phase factor of an X-ba nd wa veguid e. Experi m ental work wi th s uch a waveguide, curved in t he H pla ne and flu sh-mounted in a fini te cylind er wi t h ka = 12. ". , provided radiat ion patterns which closely adhered to t he t heoretical analysis in the frequency range 8 . 4 to 11.5 Gc/s.
Inhibition of Prolyl Oligopeptidase Restores Prohibitin 2 Levels in Psychosis Models: Relationship to Cognitive Deficits in Schizophrenia

Cognitive impairment represents one of the core features of schizophrenia. Prolyl Oligopeptidase (POP) inhibition is an emerging strategy for compensating cognitive deficits in hypoglutamatergic states such as schizophrenia, although little is known about how POP inhibitors exert their pharmacological activity. The mitochondrial and nuclear protein Prohibitin 2 (PHB2) could be dysregulated in schizophrenia. However, altered PHB2 levels in schizophrenia linked to N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) activity and cognitive deficits are still unknown. To shed light on this, we measured the PHB2 levels by immunoblot in a postmortem dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) of schizophrenia subjects, in the frontal pole of mice treated with the NMDAR antagonists phencyclidine and dizocilpine, and in rat cortical astrocytes and neurons treated with dizocilpine. Mice and cells were treated in combination with the POP inhibitor IPR19. The PHB2 levels were also analyzed by immunocytochemistry in rat neurons. The PHB2 levels increased in DLPFC in cases of chronic schizophrenia and were associated with cognitive impairments. NMDAR antagonists increased PHB2 levels in the frontal pole of mice and in rat astrocytes and neurons. High levels of PHB2 were found in the nucleus and cytoplasm of neurons upon NMDAR inhibition. IPR19 restored PHB2 levels in the acute NMDAR inhibition. These results show that IPR19 restores the upregulation of PHB2 in an acute NMDAR hypoactivity stage suggesting that the modulation of PHB2 could compensate NMDAR-dependent cognitive impairments in schizophrenia.