Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Trends in the global tropopause thickness revealed by radiosondes

The first global trends in the thickness of the tropopause layer (TL) are analyzed based on radiosonde data in the Integrated Global Radiosonde Archive (IGRA) for the period of 1965–2004. It reveals that TL has been thickening for the entire globe with positive trends of 0.16 ± 0.12 km/decade during this period. Statistically significant thickening is observed in the tropics, North Hemisphere (NH) extratropics, and NH poles. Accompanied by overall cooling of −0.58 ± 0.40 K/decade in TL's top, remarkable rising trends of 0.35 ± 0.29 km/decade are observed in the correspoding height. However, the anti‐correlation of the trends in the tropopause temperature and the corresponding height is not observed in its lower boundary, namely the first lapse rate tropopause (LRT), for all the latitude bands as suggested by the previous studies. The results imply that the temperature of the TL is primarily couple with the height of its upper boundary as the thickness of the TL is more correlated with the temperature of the lower stratosphere than with the tempeature of the upper troposphere. Long‐term changes in TL may in turn carry more information how tropopause change in response to climate change than in the sharp “tropopause surface” only.
Mortality Paradox in Obesity and Atrial Fibrillation True Clinical Phenomenon or Red Herring in Atrial Fibrillation Care?*

SEE PAGE 355 O besity has emerged as an important risk factor for atrial fibrillation (AF), as demonstrated in multiple large cohort studies over the last decade. The ARIC (Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities) study estimated that elevated body mass index (BMI) accounted for 17.9% of incident AF, placing it a close second to hypertension as the cause of AF (1). A recent meta-analysis showed a significant dose relationship with 3.5% to 5.3% additional risk of incident AF per unit increase in BMI (2). Similarly, a linear increase in the risk of progression from paroxysmal to permanent AF has been shown in longitudinal cohort studies with increasing obesity (3,4). The substrate for increased AF in obesity is highly complex, consisting of atrial electrical remodeling, increased interstitial fibrosis, and adipose tissue infiltration from the epicardial adiposity of obese atria, as shown in both clinical and experimental studies (5–7). The complex pathophysiological mechanisms underlying these changes remain incompletely understood, with the following purported to play pivotal roles: atrial stretch, metabolic derangements, oxidative stress
N6-Methyladenosine Modification Changes in the Genome of Paulownia Fortunei Seedlings Infected With Phytoplasma

Background: Phytoplasmas induce diseases in more than 1,000 plant species and cause substantial ecological damage and economic losses, but the specific pathogenesis of phytoplasma has not yet been clarified. N6-methyladenosine sequencing (m6A-seq) has been applied mainly to model plants and not to woody plants. Results: In this study, we applied m6A-seq to study changes in m6A modification in the Paulownia fortunei genome after phytoplasma infection. We found that the m6A modification level in seedlings infected with the phytoplasma that causes Paulownia witches' broom (PaWB) was slightly higher than the m6A modification level in PaWB-infected seedlings treated with 60 mg·L−1 methyl methanesulfonate (MMS). MMS has been shown to restore PaWB-infected seedlings to their normal form and no phytoplasma can be detected in MMS-treated PaWB-infected seedlings. RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) and m6A-seq were used to analyze the expression of genes with m6A peaks and m6A motifs in genes, respectively. The correlation analysis between the RNA-seq and m6A-seq data detected that a total of 315 differentially methylated genes were predicted to be significantly differentially expressed at the transcriptome level. The functions of genes related to PaWB were predicted by functional enrichment analysis, and two genes related to maintenance of the basic mechanism of stem cells in shoot apical meristem were discovered. One of the genes encodes the receptor protein kinase CLV2 (Paulownia_LG2G000076), and the other gene encodes the homeobox transcription factor STM (Paulownia_LG15G000976). The m6A modification levels were higher in PaWB-infected seedlings than they were in MMS-treated seedlings. In addition, genes F-box (Paulownia_LG17G000760) and MSH5 (Paulownia_LG8G001160) had exon skipping and mutually exclusive exon types of alternative splicing in PaWB-infected seedling treated with MMS. RT-PCR verified that the alternative splicing of these two genes was related to m6A modification. Conclusions: In this study, we applied m6A-seq to determine methylation levels in phytoplasma-infected Paulownia, and combined m6A-seq with transcriptome analysis to screen differentially expressed genes associated with PaWB. Also analyzed the effect of m6A methylation on alternative splicing. In future studies, we plan to verify genes directly related to PaWB and methylation-related enzymes in Paulownia to elucidate the pathogenicity mechanism of PaWB caused by phytoplasma invasion.
Variations in shear‐wave splitting in young Pacific seafloor

Analysis of SKS phases recorded by ocean‐bottom seismometers in the GLIMPSE Experiment has expanded the region of in situ measurements of shear‐wave splitting in young seafloor near the southern East Pacific Rise. Average splitting times at individual GLIMPSE sites range from 1.1 to 2.2 s with fast direction azimuths trending approximately in the direction of absolute plate motion and fossil spreading for the Pacific plate. The GLIMPSE study area at 12 to 14°S is adjacent to the MELT Experiment. The new observations demonstrate that splitting delays are not uniform on the Pacific plate and that the contrast between the Nazca and Pacific plates is not a fundamental consequence of the asymmetric plate motion. The variations in degree of splitting could be caused by small‐scale convection, variations in water content, or rate of deformation in the asthenospheric return flow to the East Pacific Rise.
Australian Banking Risk: The Stock Market’s Assessment and the Relationship Between Capital and Asset Volatility

The likelihood of a bank failing, within a given period of time, is a function of the variability in its income and its ability to withstand losses. These determinants depend, in turn, on the volatility of the return on bank assets and the bank’s level of capital. Although accounting measures of the volatility of the rate of return on bank assets and bank capital-asset ratios are published on a regular basis, market prices provide alternative risk measures. This paper uses share prices to estimate these risks measures for 15 Australian banks that were listed on the Australian Stock Exchange for all, or part of, the period 1983 to 1998. Option prices are also used to generate alternative estimates of these risk measures, the results of which corroborate those obtained from share prices. We find that the market’s assessment of the capital-asset ratio for the Australian banking sector has risen considerably over the sample period. There has also been a slight upward trend in the volatility of asset returns. These two trends have opposite effects on the market’s assessment of total bank risk: rising capital-asset ratios reduce bank risk, but rising asset volatility increases it. To uncover which trend has dominated, we examine a couple of measures of total bank risk, which summarises the net impact of movements in both the capital-asset ratio and asset volatility. These additional risk measures suggest that the riskiness of the sector has declined. In investigating the relationship between banks’ capital-asset ratio and asset volatility over time, we find that increases in the growth of the capital-asset ratio precede increases in asset volatility which, in turn, cause a slowdown in capital growth.
Spontaneous changes of neocortical code for associative memory during consolidation

After learning, the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) gradually comes to modulate the expression of memories that initially depended on the hippocampus. We show that during this consolidation period, neural firing in the mPFC becomes selective for the acquired memories. After acquisition of memory associations, neuron populations in the mPFC of rats developed sustained activity during the interval between two paired stimuli, but reduced activity during the corresponding interval between two unpaired stimuli. These new patterns developed over a period of several weeks after learning, with and without continued conditioning trials. Thus, in agreement with a central tenet of consolidation theory, acquired associations initiate subsequent, gradual processes that result in lasting changes of the mPFC's code, without continued training.
Effects of an angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitor, ramipril, on cardiovascular events in high-risk patients. The Heart Outcomes Prevention Evaluation Study Investigators.

Angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitors improve the outcome among patients with left ventricular dysfunction, whether or not they have heart failure. We assessed the role of an angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitor, ramipril, in patients who were at high risk for cardiovascular events but who did not have left ventricular dysfunction or heart failure.A total of 9297 high-risk patients (55 years of age or older) who had evidence of vascular disease or diabetes plus one other cardiovascular risk factor and who were not known to have a low ejection fraction or heart failure were randomly assigned to receive ramipril (10 mg once per day orally) or matching placebo for a mean of five years. The primary outcome was a composite of myocardial infarction, stroke, or death from cardiovascular causes. The trial was a two-by-two factorial study evaluating both ramipril and vitamin E. The effects of vitamin E are reported in a companion paper.A total of 651 patients who were assigned to receive ramipril (14.0 percent) reached the primary end point, as compared with 826 patients who were assigned to receive placebo (17.8 percent) (relative risk, 0.78; 95 percent confidence interval, 0.70 to 0.86; P<0.001). Treatment with ramipril reduced the rates of death from cardiovascular causes (6.1 percent, as compared with 8.1 percent in the placebo group; relative risk, 0.74; P<0.001), myocardial infarction (9.9 percent vs. 12.3 percent; relative risk, 0.80; P<0.001), stroke (3.4 percent vs. 4.9 percent; relative risk, 0.68; P<0.001), death from any cause (10.4 percent vs. 12.2 percent; relative risk, 0.84; P=0.005), revascularization procedures (16.3 percent vs. 18.8 percent; relative risk, 0.85; P<0.001), cardiac arrest (0.8 percent vs. 1.3 percent; relative risk, 0.62; P=0.02), [corrected] heart failure (9.1 percent vs. 11.6 percent; relative risk, 0.77; P<0.001), and complications related to diabetes (6.4 percent vs. 7.6 percent; relative risk, 0.84; P=0.03). Ramipril significantly reduces the rates of death, myocardial infarction, and stroke in a broad range of high-risk patients who are not known to have a low ejection fraction or heart failure.
COMPARISONS OF MIPAS O3 PROFILES WITH GROUND-BASED MEASUREMENTS

For the ENVISAT validation different ground-based techniques have been used. MIPAS O3 profiles have been compared with data from different ground-based techniques such as FTIR, LIDAR, O3 sondes, and MWR. All instruments used are operated within the NDSC (Network for the Detection of Stratospheric Change). These comparisons covering different techniques as well as different latitudes show a consistent picture. All MIPAS data used in this paper are processed with software version 4.53. In most cases the coincidence criteria are 1000 km in space and 12 hours in time, otherwise they are stated in the text.
At‐a‐station hydraulic geometry relations, 1: theoretical development

This paper, the first of two, hypothesizes that: (1) the temporal variation of stream power of a river channel at a given station with varying discharge is accomplished by the temporal variation in channel form (flow depth and channel width) and hydraulic variables, including energy slope, flow velocity and friction; (2) the change in stream power is distributed among the changes in flow depth, channel width, flow velocity, slope, and friction, depending on the boundary conditions that the channels has to satisfy. The second hypothesis is a result of the principle of maximum entropy and the theory of minimum energy dissipation or its simplified minimum stream power. These two hypotheses lead to families of at‐a‐station hydraulic geometry relations. The conditions under which these families of relations can occur in the field are discussed. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Who are We and Where are We Going?

All 721 articles in the 96 issues of the Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology published between the years of 1970 and mid-1993 are reviewed by content analysis. Of the 21 coding categories used, 16 referred to objective indexes, such as normal location of authors, culture groups studied, focus of the study, and nature of samples. The remaining five categories required qualitative judgments, such as whether a study had an "eimic" or an "etic" orientation and how culture was conceptualized. The results indicate a growing emphasis on social psychological topics and use of more sophisticated types of data analysis. However, the field continues to give disproportionate emphasis to U.S. researchers and to theories and perspectives developed in the USA. Studies continue to use designs that are predominantly "imposed etic. "
Breast cancer survivors' views of factors that influence the return-to-work process--a qualitative study.

OBJECTIVES Accumulating evidence suggests that most employed breast cancer survivors are able to return to work but often experience difficulties in the process. The objective of this study was to identify: (i) factors experienced as barriers to and facilitators of the return-to-work (RTW) process, (ii) which factors were important during initial and post RTW, and (iii) possible solutions to RTW problems. METHODS Twelve breast cancer survivors participated in semi-structured interviews. Interviews were thematically analyzed using MAXQDA, software for qualitative data analysis. We used the World Health Organization's International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health as a conceptual framework. RESULTS Participants experienced many barriers to and facilitators of RTW. In line with previous studies, we found that work environmental factors, such as support from a supervisor, importance of work, and physical or psychological side-effects (such as fatigability), influenced RTW. In addition, we found that barriers included temperament and personality functions, "job lock", and societal attitudes, while facilitators comprised taking care of one's health, skills/coping, and support from family and healthcare professionals. During the initial RTW phase, physical or psychological side-effects hampered work resumption, while during the post RTW phase, a lack of understanding from the work environment was problematic. Participants mentioned that guidance from healthcare professionals and information for supervisors and colleagues should be improved. CONCLUSIONS To enhance RTW among breast cancer survivors, interventions should focus on barriers and facilitators for individuals at different time points in the RTW process. Better guidance from healthcare professionals and information for supervisors and colleagues could also enhance the process.
Highly Efficient and Reversible Covalent Patterning of Graphene: 2D‐Management of Chemical Information

Abstract Patterned graphene‐functionalization with a tunable degree of functionalization can tailor the properties of graphene. Here, we present a new reductive functionalization approach combined with lithography rendering patterned graphene‐functionalization easily accessible. Two types of covalent patterning of graphene were prepared and their structures were unambiguously characterized by statistical Raman spectroscopy together with scanning electron microscopy/energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (SEM‐EDS). The reversible defunctionalization processes, as revealed by temperature‐dependent Raman spectroscopy, enable the possibility to accurately modulate the degree of functionalization by annealing. This allows for the management of chemical information through complete write/store/erase cycles. Based on our strategy, controllable and efficient patterning graphene‐functionalization is no longer a challenge and facilitates the development of graphene‐based devices.
Interruptions to telegraph lines in New South Wales, Australia, as observed from the chief office (Sydney) on October 31, 1903

At 4 p. m. ,1 the current on the Melbourne quadruplex circuit fluctuated considerably, and at 5 p. m. , southern quadruplex circuits suddenly disclosed a foreign element. Two copper wires were the first affected, the galvanometers indicating a varying current from 10 to 25 degrees, which was located between Mittagong and Goulburn. Other southern circuits were unworkable. The disturbance appeared much stronger further south than Goulburn.
Arcuate Uterus as an Independent Risk Factor for Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes

Abstract Objective The aim of the study is to estimate the association between arcuate uterus and pregnancy outcomes using controls selected from a similarly high-risk cohort. Study Design This is a retrospective cohort study of women with an arcuate uterus cared for by a single maternal–fetal medicine practice from 2005 to 2020. We included all women with a singleton pregnancy ≥20 weeks and diagnosis of arcuate uterus and randomly selected (3:1) patients with a singleton pregnancy and no uterine anomaly from the same practice as controls. Baseline characteristics and pregnancy outcomes were compared between the two groups. Chi-square, Fisher's exact, and independent samples t-test were used for data analysis, as indicated. Results A total of 37 women with an arcuate uterus (55 independent singleton pregnancies) and 165 controls were included. There were no differences in baseline characteristics. Women with an arcuate uterus had a significantly higher rate of spontaneous preterm birth less than 37 weeks (10.9 vs. 3.0%, p = 0.031) and were more likely to require vaginal progesterone (5.5 vs. 0.6%, p = 0.049) and administration of antenatal corticosteroids (16.4 vs. 5.5%, p = 0.020). Arcuate uterus was also associated with lower birthweight (3,028.1 ± 528.0 vs. 3257.2 ± 579.9 g, p = 0.010) and higher incidence of intrauterine fetal growth restriction (20.0 vs. 7.3%, p = 0.008), despite similar starting body mass index (BMI) and weight gain throughout pregnancy. There were no differences in preeclampsia, malpresentation, cesarean delivery, blood transfusion, retained placenta, or morbidly adherent placenta. Conclusion Arcuate uterus is associated with a significantly increased risk of spontaneous preterm birth (<37 weeks), need for vaginal progesterone for short cervix and antenatal corticosteroids, fetal growth restriction, and lower mean birthweight. These findings suggest that arcuate uterus is not just a normal variant of uterine anatomy but rather a risk factor for poor fetal growth, short cervix, and a higher risk pregnancy. Key Points Arcuate uterus is associated with increased risk of preterm birth and fetal growth restriction. Women with arcuate uteri had higher rates of vaginal progesterone use during pregnancy. Arcuate uterus should be treated as a true finding rather than a normal anatomical variant.
Reactions of copper with soil affecting its availability to plants. II: Effect of soil pH, soil sterilization and organic matter on the availability of applied copper

Incubation of copper with warm, moist soils reduced its effectiveness for uptake by wheat plants when compared to copper freshly applied. On two soils (Gingin, Dongara), the relative effectiveness of incubated compared to freshly applied copper was lower at higher pH. On the third soil (Lancelin) relative effectiveness was unaffected by changing soil pH from 6.7 to 7.8. Soil sterilization before incubation increased the effectiveness of incubated copper compared with that freshly applied on two soil types (Lancelin, Dongara), while on the other soil (Newdegate) soil sterilization did not affect relative effectiveness. The addition of cereal straw decreased the effectiveness of copper both freshly applied and when incubated with the soil. The effect of cereal straw was more marked where the copper was incubated with the soil, suggesting that organic matter is strongly involved in reducing the effectiveness of incubated copper compared with that freshly applied. The same reactions which reduce the availability of freshly applied copper appear to continue to decrease the availability of copper throughout incubation.
Cross-well seismic waveform tomography for monitoring CO2 injection : a case study from the Ketzin Site, Germany

Seismic full waveform inversion (waveform tomography) is a method to reconstruct the underground velocity field in high resolution using seismic data. The method was first introduced during the 1980’s and became computationally feasible during the late 1990’s when the method was implemented in the frequency domain. This work presents three case studies and one synthetic benchmark of full waveform inversion applications. Two of the case studies are focused on time-lapse cross-well and 2D reflection seismic data sets acquired at the Ketzin CO2 geological storage site. These studies are parts of the CO2SINK and CO2MAN projects. The results show that waveform tomography is more effective than traveltime tomography for the CO2 injection monitoring at the Ketzin site for the cross-well geometry. For the surface data sets we find it is difficult to recover the true value of the velocity anomaly due to the injection using the waveform inversion method, but it is possible to qualitatively locate the distribution of the injected CO2. The results agree well with expectations based upon conventional 2D CDP processing methods and more extensive 3D CDP processing methods in the area. A further investigation was done to study the feasibility and efficiency of seismic full waveform inversion for time-lapse monitoring of onshore CO2 geological storage sites using a reflection seismic geometry with synthetic data sets. The results show that waveform inversion may be a good complement to standard CDP processing when monitoring CO2 injection. The choice of method and strategy for waveform inversion is quite dependent on the goals of the time-lapse monitoring of the CO2 injection. The last case study is an application of the full waveform inversion method to two crooked profiles at the Forsmark site in eastern central Sweden. The main goal of this study was to help determine if the observed reflections are mainly due to fluid filled fracture zones or mafic sills. One main difficulty here is that the profiles have a crooked line geometry which corresponds to 3D seismic geometry, but a 2D based inversion method is being used. This is partly handled by a 3D to 2D coordinate projection method from traveltime inversion. The results show that these reflections are primarily due to zones of lower velocity, consistent with them being generated at water filled fracture zones.