Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Forecasting of Ekofisk reservoir compaction and subsidence by numerical simulation

A finite-element computational procedure for simulating the reservoir compaction and subsidence processes at Ekofisk is described. Data input requirements are considered, and results are presented for selected reservoir management options. Field measurements of subsidence, subsidence rates, and subsidence-bowl profiles are shown to be in good agreement with calculated results.
Lithospheric structure of northern California from teleseismic images of the upper mantle

Teleseismic P wave travel time residuals from 120 earthquakes recorded across the U.S. Geological Survey California seismic network were used to determine the lithosphere P wave velocity structure beneath northern California, a region characterized by complex interactions between the Pacific, North American, and Gorda plates. Lateral P wave velocity variations beneath the array were determined by inversion of 9383 travel time residuals. Inversion results for the crust show strong correlations to volcanic features. The active volcanic fields, Shasta-Medicine Lake, Lassen, and Clear Lake, are characterized by crustal low-velocity anomalies that average approximately −6%, possibly identifying partially molten magma bodies. Cooled, solidified magma bodies beneath the extinct volcanic fields, Sonoma, southern Clear Lake, and Sutler Buttes, are denoted by relative velocity highs averaging +3%. The largest upper mantle velocity variations occur in the depth range 30–110 km, where velocities vary from −5.5% to +9.5%. These velocity variations reflect changes in the thickness and geometry of the Pacific, North American, and Gorda plates where they interact at the Mendocino Triple Junction. North of the Mendocino Triple Junction, the steep 70° east dipping portion of the Gorda plate is imaged as a +5% velocity high to depths near 270 km. A presumed segment of the Gorda plate, observed beneath the northern Great Valley and south of the inferred edge of the plate, is characterized by a +9% velocity high in the depth range 30–70 km. Beneath the northern Coast Ranges, shallow asthenosphere is imaged in the depth range 30–100 km as a pronounced southward tapering −4% low-velocity zone, which we interpret as the slab window. Results from this study provide improved constraints on Gorda plate subduction, evolution of the San Andreas fault system, and development of the lithosphere beneath western North America.
Membrane interactions and self‐association of components of the Ess/Type VII secretion system of Staphylococcus aureus

The Ess/Type VII protein secretion system, essential for virulence of pathogenic Staphylococcus aureus, is dependent upon the four core membrane proteins EssA, EssB, EssC and EsaA. Here, we use crosslinking and blue native PAGE analysis to show that the EssB, EssC and EsaA proteins individually form homomeric complexes. Surprisingly, these components appear unable to interact with each other, or with the EssA protein. We further show that two high molecular weight multimers of EssC detected in whole cells are not dependent upon the presence of EsxA, EsxB or any other Ess component for their assembly.
Selective Inflammatory Pain Insensitivity in the African Naked Mole-Rat (Heterocephalus glaber)

In all mammals, tissue inflammation leads to pain and behavioral sensitization to thermal and mechanical stimuli called hyperalgesia. We studied pain mechanisms in the African naked mole-rat, an unusual rodent species that lacks pain-related neuropeptides (e.g., substance P) in cutaneous sensory fibers. Naked mole-rats show a unique and remarkable lack of pain-related behaviors to two potent algogens, acid and capsaicin. Furthermore, when exposed to inflammatory insults or known mediators, naked mole-rats do not display thermal hyperalgesia. In contrast, naked mole-rats do display nocifensive behaviors in the formalin test and show mechanical hyperalgesia after inflammation. Using electrophysiology, we showed that primary afferent nociceptors in naked mole-rats are insensitive to acid stimuli, consistent with the animal's lack of acid-induced behavior. Acid transduction by sensory neurons is observed in birds, amphibians, and fish, which suggests that this tranduction mechanism has been selectively disabled in the naked mole-rat in the course of its evolution. In contrast, nociceptors do respond vigorously to capsaicin, and we also show that sensory neurons express a transient receptor potential vanilloid channel-1 ion channel that is capsaicin sensitive. Nevertheless, the activation of capsaicin-sensitive sensory neurons in naked mole-rats does not produce pain-related behavior. We show that capsaicin-sensitive nociceptors in the naked mole-rat are functionally connected to superficial dorsal horn neurons as in mice. However, the same nociceptors are also functionally connected to deep dorsal horn neurons, a connectivity that is rare in mice. The pain biology of the naked mole-rat is unique among mammals, thus the study of pain mechanisms in this unusual species can provide major insights into what constitutes “normal” mammalian nociception.
Longer growing seasons do not increase net carbon uptake in the northeastern Siberian tundra

With global warming, snowmelt is occurring earlier and growing seasons are becoming longer around the Arctic. It has been suggested that this would lead to more uptake of carbon due to a lengthening of the period in which plants photosynthesize. To investigate this suggestion, 8 consecutive years of eddy covariance measurements at a northeastern Siberian graminoid tundra site were investigated for patterns in net ecosystem exchange, gross primary production (GPP) and ecosystem respiration (R-eco). While GPP showed no clear increase with longer growing seasons, it was significantly increased in warmer summers. Due to these warmer temperatures however, the increase in uptake was mostly offset by an increase in R-eco. Therefore, overall variability in net carbon uptake was low, and no relationship with growing season length was found. Furthermore, the highest net uptake of carbon occurred with the shortest and the coldest growing season. Low uptake of carbon mostly occurred with longer or warmer growing seasons. We thus conclude that the net carbon uptake of this ecosystem is more likely to decrease rather than to increase under a warmer climate. These results contradict previous research that has showed more net carbon uptake with longer growing seasons. We hypothesize that this difference is due to site-specific differences, such as climate type and soil, and that changes in the carbon cycle with longer growing seasons will not be uniform around the Arctic. (Less)
Function and Comorbidities of Apolipoprotein E in Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer's disease (AD)—the most common type of dementia among the elderly—represents one of the most challenging and urgent medical mysteries affecting our aging population. Although dominant inherited mutation in genes involved in the amyloid metabolism can elicit familial AD, the overwhelming majority of AD cases, dubbed sporadic AD, do not display this Mendelian inheritance pattern. Apolipoprotein E (APOE), the main lipid carrier protein in the central nervous system, is the only gene that has been robustly and consistently associated with AD risk. The purpose of the current paper is thus to highlight the pleiotropic roles and the structure-function relationship of APOE to stimulate both the functional characterization and the identification of novel lipid homeostasis-related molecular targets involved in AD.
Stress Generation and Filament Turnover during Actin Ring Constriction

We present a physical analysis of the dynamics and mechanics of contractile actin rings. In particular, we analyze the dynamics of ring contraction during cytokinesis in the Caenorhabditis elegans embryo. We present a general analysis of force balances and material exchange and estimate the relevant parameter values. We show that on a microscopic level contractile stresses can result from both the action of motor proteins, which cross-link filaments, and from the polymerization and depolymerization of filaments in the presence of end-tracking cross-linkers.
Toward the use of neural networks for influenza prediction at multiple spatial resolutions

Machine learning methods and digital data sources improve influenza forecasting at the city and state levels in the United States. Mitigating the effects of disease outbreaks with timely and effective interventions requires accurate real-time surveillance and forecasting of disease activity, but traditional health care–based surveillance systems are limited by inherent reporting delays. Machine learning methods have the potential to fill this temporal “data gap,” but work to date in this area has focused on relatively simple methods and coarse geographic resolutions (state level and above). We evaluate the predictive performance of a gated recurrent unit neural network approach in comparison with baseline machine learning methods for estimating influenza activity in the United States at the state and city levels and experiment with the inclusion of real-time Internet search data. We find that the neural network approach improves upon baseline models for long time horizons of prediction but is not improved by real-time internet search data. We conduct a thorough analysis of feature importances in all considered models for interpretability purposes.
Earthquake locations and three‐dimensional crustal structure in the Coyote Lake Area, central California

Previous work on the simultaneous inversion method has been improved and extended to incorporate iterative solution for earthquake locations and laterally heterogeneous structure. Approximate ray tracing and parameter separation are important elements of the improved method. Application of the method to P wave arrival time data recorded by stations of the U.S. Geological Survey Central California Network yields a three-dimensional model for the velocity structure of the upper crust in an area encompassing the rupture zone of the Coyote Lake earthquake of August 1979. Very strong correlations between the velocity model and the geology and gravity and magnetic anomalies are observed. Improved estimates of the locations of earthquakes in the study area are also determined. The relocation of explosions indicates epicentral accuracies of the order of a kilometer or better. Based on the revised hypocentral locations, it is concluded that the San Andreas fault is vertical in this area, with no actual offset between the epicenters and the fault trace. In contrast, the Calaveras has two (or more) active fault surfaces, one nearly vertical and another dipping 75° to the northeast.
An improved second-generation digital image watermarking scheme

In this paper, an improved second generation digital image watermarking scheme is proposed. This scheme exploits the region feature instead of point or line feature. The region features are retrieved by watershed transform, which allows watermark recovery after common attacks. The experiments have shown that this proposed scheme is robust against compression, noise intrinsically and more robust against geometrical attacks and JPEG compression compared with Kutter’s method. The watermark capacity is improved because the robustness of region feature is more than point or line feature.
Individual and School Correlates of Adolescent Leisure Time Physical Activity in Quebec, Canada

Background: Leisure time physical activity (LTPA) correlates have been mostly studied in relation to adolescents’ home neighbourhoods, but not so much in relation to the environment of their schools’ neighbourhoods. We sought to investigate how objective environmental measures of the schools’ vicinity are related to adolescents’ self-reported LTPA. Methods: Individual data from the Quebec High School Students Health Survey (QHSSHS) were matched with schools’ socioeconomic indicators, as well as geographic information system-based indicators of their built environments. Self-reported levels of LTPA during the school year were assessed according to intensity, frequency and index of energy expenditure. Associations per gender between covariates and LTPA were estimated using ordinal multilevel regression with multiple imputations. Results: Boys (21% of which were highly active) were more active than girls (16% of which were highly active) (p ≤ 0.01). The incremental variance between schools explained by the contextual variables in the final models was higher among girls (7.8%) than boys (2.8%). The number of parks or green spaces within 750 m around their schools was positively associated with student LTPA in both genders. Conclusions: The promotion of parks around schools seems to be an avenue to be strengthened.
Profile of sight-threatening diabetic retinopathy and its awareness among patients with diabetes mellitus attending a tertiary care center in Kashmir, India

Purpose: To study the profile of sight-threatening diabetic retinopathy (STDR), its association with various factors affecting it, and awareness of diabetic retinopathy (DR) among patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) attending a tertiary care center in Kashmir. Methods: In this prospective cross-sectional study, 625 consecutive patients with DM were assessed for STDR. Demographic/clinical data were obtained. Early treatment diabetic retinopathy study (ETDRS) criteria were used to grade fundus photographs. Severe nonproliferative DR, proliferative DR, and/or macular edema were classified as STDR. Optical coherence tomography was used to confirm the diagnosis of macular edema. Results: The mean age of patients was 56.36 ± 9.29 years. The male-to-female ratio was 0.92:1. The majority (99.36%) of patients had type 2 DM. STDR was seen in 208 (33.28%) patients. Non-sight-threatening diabetic retinopathy (NSTDR) was seen in 173 (27.68%) patients. Eye care was sought by 313 (50.08%) patients for the first time. STDR had a significant association with difficulty in accessing the health care facilities, duration of diabetes, uncontrolled diabetes, presence of other diabetes complications, use of insulin, and hypertension (P < 0.05 for all). Awareness that diabetes can affect eyes showed a significant association with age, gender, educational status, duration of diabetes, glycemic status, DR, and STDR (P < 0.001 for all). Conclusion: STDR is a common complication in diabetes and is duration- and glycemic control-dependent. Understanding the factors associated with STDR can help in making strategies for its prevention. Spreading awareness regarding STDR at the community level in the Kashmir valley is crucial in this regard.
PRODUCTION OF BROILER CHICKS IN LEGUMINOUS BASED PASTURES

P. I. P. Ponte 1 , C. M. C. Rosado 2 , J. P. Crespo 2 , D. G. Crespo 2 , M. A. Chaveiro Soares 3 , J. L. Mourão 4 , I. Mendes 5 , L. T. Gama 1,5 , J. A. M. Prates 1 , L. M. A. Ferreira 1 , C. M. G. A. Fontes 1 CIISA – Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Pólo Universitário da Ajuda – Rua Prof. Cid dos Santos 1300-477 LISBOA Fertiprado Herdade dos Esquerdos 7450-250 VAIAMONTE Instituto Superior de Agronomia Tapada de Ajuda 1349-017 LISBOA Universidade de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro Apartado 1013 5000-911 VILA REAL Estação Zootécnica Nacional Fonte Boa 2005-048 VALE DE SANTARÉM.
Sex-specific relationships between adverse childhood experiences and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in five states

Purpose: Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) before age 18 have been repeatedly associated with several chronic diseases in adulthood such as depression, heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and stroke. We examined sex-specific relationships between individual ACEs and the number of ACEs with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in the general population. Materials and methods: Data from 26,546 women and 19,015 men aged $ 18 years in five states of the 2011 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System were analyzed. We used log-linear regression to estimate prevalence ratios (PRs) and their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the relationship of eight ACEs with COPD after adjustment for age group, race/ethnicity, marital status, educational attainment, employment, asthma history, health insurance coverage, and smoking status. Results: Some 63.8% of women and 62.2% of men reported $ 1 ACE. COPD was reported by 4.9% of women and 4.0% of men. In women, but not in men, there was a higher likelihood of COPD associated with verbal abuse (PR = 1.30, 95% CI: 1.05, 1.61), sexual abuse (PR = 1.69, 95% CI: 1.36, 2.10), living with a substance abusing household member (PR = 1.49, 95% CI: 1.23, 1.81), witnessing domestic violence (PR = 1.40, 95% CI: 1.14, 1.72), and parental sepa-ration/divorce (PR = 1.47, 95% CI: 1.21, 1.80) during childhood compared to those with no individual ACEs. Reporting $ 5 ACEs (PR = 2.08, 95% CI: 1.55, 2.80) compared to none was associated with a higher likelihood of COPD among women only. Conclusion: ACEs are related to COPD, especially among women. These findings underscore the need for further research that examines sex-specific differences and the possible mechanisms linking ACEs and COPD. This work adds to a growing body of research suggesting that ACEs may contribute to health problems later in life and suggesting a need for program and policy solutions.
Sex-specific relationships between adverse childhood experiences and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in five states

Purpose Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) before age 18 have been repeatedly associated with several chronic diseases in adulthood such as depression, heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and stroke. We examined sex-specific relationships between individual ACEs and the number of ACEs with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in the general population. Materials and methods Data from 26,546 women and 19,015 men aged ≥18 years in five states of the 2011 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System were analyzed. We used log-linear regression to estimate prevalence ratios (PRs) and their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the relationship of eight ACEs with COPD after adjustment for age group, race/ethnicity, marital status, educational attainment, employment, asthma history, health insurance coverage, and smoking status. Results Some 63.8% of women and 62.2% of men reported ≥1 ACE. COPD was reported by 4.9% of women and 4.0% of men. In women, but not in men, there was a higher likelihood of COPD associated with verbal abuse (PR =1.30, 95% CI: 1.05, 1.61), sexual abuse (PR =1.69, 95% CI: 1.36, 2.10), living with a substance abusing household member (PR =1.49, 95% CI: 1.23, 1.81), witnessing domestic violence (PR =1.40, 95% CI: 1.14, 1.72), and parental separation/divorce (PR =1.47, 95% CI: 1.21, 1.80) during childhood compared to those with no individual ACEs. Reporting ≥5 ACEs (PR =2.08, 95% CI: 1.55, 2.80) compared to none was associated with a higher likelihood of COPD among women only. Conclusion ACEs are related to COPD, especially among women. These findings underscore the need for further research that examines sex-specific differences and the possible mechanisms linking ACEs and COPD. This work adds to a growing body of research suggesting that ACEs may contribute to health problems later in life and suggesting a need for program and policy solutions.
Improved simulation of Australian climate and ENSO‐related rainfall variability in a global climate model with an interactive aerosol treatment

We assess the simulation of Australian mean climate and rainfall variability in a new version of the CSIRO coupled ocean–atmosphere global climate model (GCM). The new version, called Mark 3.6 (Mk3.6), differs from its recent predecessors (Mk3.0 and Mk3.5) by inclusion of an interactive aerosol scheme, which treats sulfate, dust, sea salt and carbonaceous aerosol. Other changes include an updated radiation scheme and a modified boundary‐layer treatment. Comparison of the mean summer and winter climate simulations in Mk3.6 with those in Mk3.0 and Mk3.5 shows several improvements in the new version, especially regarding winter rainfall and sea‐level pressure. The improved simulation of Australian mean seasonal climate is confirmed by calculation of a non‐dimensional skill score (the ‘M‐statistic’), using data from all four seasons. However, the most dramatic improvement occurs in the model's simulation of the leading modes of annual rainfall variability, which we assess using empirical orthogonal teleconnections (EOTs). Compared to its predecessors and several international GCMs, Mk3.6 is best able to capture the spatial pattern of the leading rainfall mode, which represents variability due to the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO). Mk3.6 is also best able to capture the spatial pattern of the second rainfall mode, which corresponds to increased rainfall in the northwest, and decreased rainfall over eastern Australia. We propose a possible mechanism for the improved simulation of rainfall variability in terms of the role of interactive dust in Mk3.6. By further suppressing convection over eastern Australia during El Niño events, dust feedbacks may enhance rainfall variability there, in tune with the model's ENSO cycle. This suggests that an interactive aerosol treatment may be important in a GCM used for the study of Australian climate change and variability. Mechanistic sensitivity studies are needed to further evaluate this hypothesis. Copyright © 2009 Royal Meteorological Society
The role of fruit and vegetables in the diets of children in Europe: current state of knowledge on dietary recommendations, intakes and contribution to energy and nutrient intakes

Fruit and vegetables (F&V) play an important role in the prevention of obesity and other chronic diseases and low intakes have been highlighted as one of the risk factors attributing to global mortality in adults. The childhood years are a critical period during which eating behaviours and food preferences evolve, providing an opportunity to develop and foster healthy eating practices, which carry into adulthood. This review aimed to summarise dietary guidelines relating to F&V, intakes of F&V and the contribution of F&V to energy and nutrient intakes in school-aged children in Europe. The current review showed a paucity of data in relation to guidelines specific for children for F&V consumption. Where guidelines were available, they ranged from 100 to 500 g or one to three portions of F&V daily (with variations in the categorisations). A key finding was the lack of data on estimates of F&V intakes in school-aged children across Europe. Where data were available, intakes ranged from 221 to 404 g/d and were generally below the WHO recommendation of at least 400 g/d. F&V contributed low proportions of energy intake (6–9%) but made significant contributions to intakes of dietary fibre (19–37%), vitamin A (26–46%), vitamin C (32–83%) and potassium (16–27%); however, they also contributed to intakes of total (25–50%) and free sugar (7–11%). This review has highlighted the need for more data on estimates of F&V intakes in school-aged children in Europe and a need for continued promotion of F&V consumption to increase intakes in this age group.