Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Generalized Stability of Nongeostrophic Baroclinic Shear Flow. Part I: Large Richardson Number Regime

A generalized stability theory (GST) analysis of baroclinic shear flow is performed using primitive equations (PEs), and typical synoptic-scale midlatitudinal values of vertical shear and stratification. GST is a comprehensive linear stability theory that subsumes modal stability theory and extends it to account for nonmodal interactions such as may occur among the approximately geostrophically balanced modes and the nearly divergent gravity wave modes supported by the PE. Unbounded constant shear flow and the Eady model are taken as examples and energy is used as the reference norm. Comparison is made with results obtained using quasigeostrophic (QG) analysis. While the PE and the QG dynamics give similar results for timescales of a few days, the PE initial growth rate during the first few hours exceeds the QG growth at all wavelengths and can attain values as much as two orders of magnitude greater as the wavelength decreases. This PE growth is due both to the direct kinetic energy growth mechanism, which is filtered out by QG, and to the interaction between the QG modes and the gravity waves. An important application of GST is to study shear turbulence using a method of analysis based on stochastically forcing the mean state. The PE response of the Eady model to spatially and temporally uncorrelated forcing reveals the rotational and the divergent modes support a comparable amount of variance. The observed spectrum and physical mechanisms influencing the spectrum are discussed.
Vitamin D receptor activation reduces VCaP xenograft tumor growth and counteracts ERG activity despite induction of TMPRSS2:ERG

Whether vitamin D is chemopreventive and/or has potential therapeutically in prostate cancer is unresolved. One confounding factor is that many prostate cancers express a TMPRSS2:ERG fusion gene whose expression is increased both by androgens and by vitamin D receptor (VDR) activation. Two challenges that limit VDR agonist use clinically are hypercalcemia and the cooperation of VDR with ERG to hyper-induce the 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 metabolizing enzyme, CYP24A1, thus reducing VDR activity. Using the VCaP TMPRSS2:ERG positive cell line as a model, we found that a nonsecosteroidal CYP24A1 resistant VDR agonist, VDRM2, substantially reduces growth of xenograft tumors without inducing hypercalcemia. Utilizing next generation RNA sequencing, we found a very high overlap of 1,25D(OH)2D3 and VDRM2 regulated genes and by drawing upon previously published datasets to create an ERG signature, we found activation of VDR does not induce ERG activity above the already high basal levels present in VCaP cells. Moreover, we found VDR activation opposes 8 of the 10 most significant ERG regulated Hallmark gene set collection pathways from Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA). Thus, a CYP24A1 resistant VDR agonist may be beneficial for treatment of TMPRSS2:ERG positive prostate cancer; one negative consequence of TMPRSS2:ERG expression is inactivation of VDR signaling.
Effect of Quantum Confinement on The Wavelength of CdSe, ZnS And GaAs Quantum Dots (Qds)

The effect of confinement on quantum dots (QDs) of CdSe, ZnS and GaAs on the wavelength has been studied using the Brus equat ion at various confinement radii. It is observed that the QDs of CdSe and GaAs possess the trait for possible extension of their wavelength to match the IBSC systems for communication in the optical C band.
Determination of Temporal Spawning Patterns and Hatching Time in Response to Temperature of Atlantic Bluefin Tuna (Thunnus thynnus) in the Western Mediterranean

This study analysed the temporal pattern of Atlantic bluefin tuna (ABFT) spawning in the Balearic spawning ground and examined its reproductive performance after years in captivity. Furthermore, ABFT hatching time at different on-site temperatures was determined for the first time. Spawning surveys were carried out in 4 spawning seasons (2009–2012) aboard tuna transport vessels. Three groups of spawners were monitored: a captive group transported to the spawning region and monitored throughout the four spawning seasons and two wild groups caught in 2009 and 2010 which were transferred to a monitoring transport cage immediately after being caught. Surface plankton samples were collected nightly, beginning immediately after the first purse seine catches were made and concluding after spawning was observed to have ended. All groups displayed the same spawning hours, restricted between 2:00–5:00 a.m. The captive group, as they got older, shifted towards the earliest hour, suggesting an age influence on reproductive time. The onset of spawning varied annually from the end of May to the beginning of June at temperatures around 19°C–20°C, ending by the second week of July. The peak of spawning was consistently around the summer solstice, June 15th–30th. The results showed the negative effect of unstable oceanographic conditions in the spawning process which might influence the annual reproductive success of ABFT. The influence of temperature on hatching time was higher than that observed in other tuna species, twice as fast at 26°C (23 h) as at 19.5°C (49 h). Overall, this study shows the strength of the internal mechanism in ABFT that controls spawning traits. Spawning in ABFT is cyclical and highly synchronised on diel and annual scales. We consider that the timing of spawning is rather influenced by day length and its adaptive significance is discussed.
Therapeutic Interventions and Risk Factors of Bleeding During Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation

Bleeding is the most common complication during extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). It is associated with an increased mortality and represents the most frequent cause of preliminary ECMO termination. We performed a retrospective analysis in a single ECMO referral center delineating the risk factors and therapeutic interventions of bleeding during adult ECMO in a total of 59 patients. The median length of ECMO support was 158 hours, with an all-cause mortality of 41%. Bleeding occurred on 40% of the days. On multivariate analysis, fungal pneumonia was the only significant factor associated with the occurrence of a bleeding event. The most common bleeding locations were the ECMO cannulation sites. Termination of ECMO support was the most successful therapeutic intervention, followed by the administration of tranexamic acid, replacement of the membrane oxygenator or the ECMO system, administration of factor VIIa, and repositioning of at least one ECMO cannula. Moreover, the transfusion of platelets was a successful mean, as well as the utilization of desmopressin to enhance platelet function. As such, further delineation of the coagulation disorders during ECMO support to provide a sophisticated pharmacotherapy may stop this serious adverse event.
Nonencapsidated 5′ Copy-Back Defective Interfering Genomes Produced by Recombinant Measles Viruses Are Recognized by RIG-I and LGP2 but Not MDA5

ABSTRACT Attenuated measles virus (MV) is one of the most effective and safe vaccines available, making it an attractive candidate vector for preventing other infectious diseases. Yet the great capacity of this vaccine still needs to be understood at the molecular level. MV vaccine strains have different type I interferon (IFN)-inducing abilities that partially depend on the presence of 5′ copy-back defective interfering genomes (DI-RNAs). DI-RNAs are pathogen-associated molecular patterns recognized by RIG-I-like receptors (RLRs) (RIG-I, MDA5, and LGP2) that activate innate immune signaling and shape the adaptive immune response. In this study, we characterized the DI-RNAs produced by various modified recombinant MVs (rMVs), including vaccine candidates, as well as wild-type MV. All tested rMVs produced 5′ copy-back DI-RNAs that were different in length and nucleotide sequence but still respected the so-called “rule of six. ” We correlated the presence of DI-RNAs with a larger stimulation of the IFN-β pathway and compared their immunostimulatory potentials. Importantly, we revealed that encapsidation of DI-RNA molecules within the MV nucleocapsid abolished their immunoactive properties. Furthermore, we identified specific interactions of DI-RNAs with both RIG-I and LGP2 but not MDA5. Our results suggest that DI-RNAs produced by rMV vaccine candidates may indeed strengthen their efficiency by triggering RLR signaling. IMPORTANCE Having been administered to hundreds of millions of children, the live attenuated measles virus (MV) vaccine is the safest and most widely used human vaccine, providing high protection with long-term memory. Additionally, recombinant MVs carrying heterologous antigens are promising vectors for new vaccines. The great capacity of this vaccine still needs to be elucidated at the molecular level. Here we document that recombinant MVs produce defective interfering genomes that have high immunostimulatory properties via their binding to RIG-I and LGP2 proteins, both of which are cytosolic nonself RNA sensors of innate immunity. Defective interfering genome production during viral replication should be considered of great importance due to the immunostimulatory properties of these genomes as intrinsic adjuvants produced by the vector that increase recognition by the innate immune system.
Protected areas offer refuge from invasive species spreading under climate change

Protected areas (PAs) are intended to provide native biodiversity and habitats with a refuge against the impacts of global change, particularly acting as natural filters against biological invasions. In practice, however, it is unknown how effective PAs will be in shielding native species from invasions under projected climate change. Here, we investigate the current and future potential distributions of 100 of the most invasive terrestrial, freshwater, and marine species in Europe. We use this information to evaluate the combined threat posed by climate change and invasions to existing PAs and the most susceptible species they shelter. We found that only a quarter of Europe's marine and terrestrial areas protected over the last 100 years have been colonized by any of the invaders investigated, despite offering climatically suitable conditions for invasion. In addition, hotspots of invasive species and the most susceptible native species to their establishment do not match at large continental scales. Furthermore, the predicted richness of invaders is 11%–18% significantly lower inside PAs than outside them. Invasive species are rare in long‐established national parks and nature reserves, which are actively protected and often located in remote and pristine regions with very low human density. In contrast, the richness of invasive species is high in the more recently designated Natura 2000 sites, which are subject to high human accessibility. This situation may change in the future, since our models anticipate important shifts in species ranges toward the north and east of Europe at unprecedented rates of 14–55 km/decade, depending on taxonomic group and scenario. This may seriously compromise the conservation of biodiversity and ecosystem services. This study is the first comprehensive assessment of the resistance that PAs provide against biological invasions and climate change on a continental scale and illustrates their strategic value in safeguarding native biodiversity.
Wind effects on rough-walled and smooth-walled large cooling towers

Adding vertical ribs is recognized as a useful practice for reducing wind effects on cooling towers. However, ribs are rarely used on cooling towers in China since Chinese Codes are insufficient to support the design of rough-walled cooling towers, and an “understanding” hampers the use of ribs, which thinks that increased surface roughness has limited effects on the maximum internal forces that control the structural design. To this end, wind tunnel model tests in both uniform flow field with negligible free-stream turbulence and atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) turbulent flow field are carried out in this article to meticulously study and quantify the surface roughness effects on both static and dynamic wind loads for the purpose of improving Chinese Codes first. Subsequently, a further step is taken to obtain wind effects on a full-scale large cooling tower at a high Re, which are employed to validate the results obtained in the wind tunnel. Finally, the veracity of the model test results is discussed by investigating the Reynolds number (Re) effects on them. It has been proved that the model test results for atmospheric boundary layer flow field are all obtained in the range of Re-independence and the conclusions drawn from model tests and full-scale measurements basically agree, so most model test results presented in this article can be directly applied to the full-scale condition without corrections.
Evidence of an Overweight/Obesity Transition among School-Aged Children and Youth in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Systematic Review

Background Prevalence of childhood overweight/obesity has increased considerably in recent years. The transition to higher rates of overweight/obesity has been well documented in high income countries; however, consistent or representative data from lower income countries is scarce. It is therefore pertinent to assess if rates of overweight/obesity are also increasing in lower income countries, to inform public health efforts. Objective This systematic review aimed to investigate the evidence for an overweight/obesity transition occurring in school-aged children and youth in Sub Saharan Africa. Methods Studies were identified by searching the MEDLINE, Embase, Africa Index Medicus, Global Health, Geobase, and EPPI-Centre electronic databases. Studies that used subjective or objective metrics to assess body composition in apparently healthy or population-based samples of children and youth aged 5 to 17 years were included. Results A total of 283 articles met the inclusion criteria, and of these, 68 were used for quantitative synthesis. The four regions (West, Central, East, and South) of Sub Saharan Africa were well represented, though only 11 (3.9%) studies were nationally representative. Quantitative synthesis revealed a trend towards increasing proportions of overweight/obesity over time in school-aged children in this region, as well as a persistent problem of underweight. Weighted averages of overweight/obesity and obesity for the entire time period captured were 10.6% and 2.5% respectively. Body composition measures were found to be higher in girls than boys, and higher in urban living and higher socioeconomic status children compared to rural populations or those of lower socioeconomic status. Conclusions This review provides evidence for an overweight/obesity transition in school-aged children in Sub Saharan Africa. The findings of this review serve to describe the region with respect to the growing concern of childhood overweight/obesity, highlight research gaps, and inform interventions. PROSPERO Registration Number CRD42013004399
High expression of miR-125b-2 and SNORD116 noncoding RNA clusters characterize ERG-related B cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia

ERG-related leukemia is a B cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (BCP ALL) subtype characterized by aberrant expression of DUX4 and ERG transcription factors, and highly recurrent ERG intragenic deletions. ERG-related patients have remarkably favorable outcome despite a high incidence of inauspicious IKZF1 aberrations. We describe clinical and genomic features of the ERG-related cases in an unselected cohort of B-other BCP ALL pediatric patients enrolled in the AIEOP ALL 2000 therapeutic protocol. We report a small noncoding RNA signature specific of ERG-related group, with up-regulation of miR-125b-2 cluster on chromosome 21 and several snoRNAs in the Prader-Willi locus at 15q11.2, including the orphan SNORD116 cluster.
Evidence for Isolation-by-Habitat among Populations of an Epiphytic Orchid Species on a Small Oceanic Island

Identifying factors that promote population differentiation is of interest for understanding the early stages of speciation. Gene flow among populations inhabiting different environments can be reduced by geographical distance (isolation-by-distance) or by divergent selection resulting from local adaptation (isolation-by-ecology). Few studies have investigated the influence of these factors in small oceanic islands where the influence of geographic distance is expected to be null but where habitat diversity could have a strong effect on population differentiation. In this study, we tested for the spatial divergence of phenotypes (floral morphology and floral scent) and genotypes (microsatellites) among ten populations of Jumellea rossii, an epiphytic orchid endemic to Réunion growing in three different habitats. We found a significant genetic differentiation between populations that is structured by habitat heterogeneity rather than by geographic distance between populations. These results suggest that ecological factors might reduce gene flow among populations located in different habitats. This pattern of isolation-by-habitat may be the result of both isolation-by-ecology by habitat filtering and asynchrony in flowering phenology. Furthermore, data on floral morphology match these findings, with multivariate analysis grouping populations by habitat type but could be only due to phenotypic plasticity. Indeed floral scent compounds were not significantly different between populations indicating that specific plant-pollinator mutualism does not seem to play a major role in the population differentiation of J. rossii. In conclusion, the results from our study emphasize the importance of habitat diversity of small oceanic islands as a factor of population differentiation.
Relationship between dietary intake and behaviors with oxytocin: a systematic review of studies in adults

Context Oxytocin plays an important hormonal role in the regulation of feeding and energy intake. Objective The aims of this review were to 1) determine the effects of dietary intake/behaviors on endogenous oxytocin and 2) examine the effect of exogenous oxytocin on dietary intake/behaviors. Data sources Published studies up to December 2016 were identified through searches of 5 electronic databases. Data extraction Eligible studies included those in adults that included a measure related to an individual's diet and a measure of oxytocin and the relationship between the 2 outcomes. Results Twenty‐six studies (n = 912 participants; 77% female) were included. The most common dietary outcomes assessed were alcohol, caffeine, calcium, sodium, fat, and calorie intake. It was found that endogenous oxytocin (n = 13) in nonclinical samples did not change significantly (P > 0.05) through altered diet or behaviors (neutral effect); in contrast, significant (P < 0.05) differences (increases and decreases) were identified in clinical samples. Exogenous oxytocin studies (n = 13) found reduced indices of food intake (positive effect) in clinical and nonclinical samples. Conclusions Overall, few studies included comprehensive investigation of dietary intakes through the use of validated assessment tools. Dietary intake and behaviors appear to have some influence on oxytocin, with more pronounced effects found with exogenously administered oxytocin.
Plasticity in Dendroclimatic Response across the Distribution Range of Aleppo Pine (Pinus halepensis)

We investigated the variability of the climate-growth relationship of Aleppo pine across its distribution range in the Mediterranean Basin. We constructed a network of tree-ring index chronologies from 63 sites across the region. Correlation function analysis identified the relationships of tree-ring index to climate factors for each site. We also estimated the dominant climatic gradients of the region using principal component analysis of monthly, seasonal, and annual mean temperature and total precipitation from 1,068 climatic gridpoints. Variation in ring width index was primarily related to precipitation and secondarily to temperature. However, we found that the dendroclimatic relationship depended on the position of the site along the climatic gradient. In the southern part of the distribution range, where temperature was generally higher and precipitation lower than the regional average, reduced growth was also associated with warm and dry conditions. In the northern part, where the average temperature was lower and the precipitation more abundant than the regional average, reduced growth was associated with cool conditions. Thus, our study highlights the substantial plasticity of Aleppo pine in response to different climatic conditions. These results do not resolve the source of response variability as being due to either genetic variation in provenance, to phenotypic plasticity, or a combination of factors. However, as current growth responses to inter-annual climate variability vary spatially across existing climate gradients, future climate-growth relationships will also likely be determined by differential adaptation and/or acclimation responses to spatial climatic variation. The contribution of local adaptation and/or phenotypic plasticity across populations to the persistence of species under global warming could be decisive for prediction of climate change impacts across populations. In this sense, a more complex forest dynamics modeling approach that includes the contribution of genetic variation and phenotypic plasticity can improve the reliability of the ecological inferences derived from the climate-growth relationships.
Association Between Any Major Discrimination and Current Cigarette Smoking Among Adult African American Men

ABSTRACT Background: Findings from previous research has demonstrated a positive relationship between interpersonal discrimination and cigarette smoking. Cigarette smoking is proposed to be an externalizing coping mechanism used to alleviate discrimination. At the national level, it is unclear if discrimination is associated with cigarette smoking among African American men. Objective: The aim of the study was to examine the association between discrimination and cigarette smoking among a national sample of African American men. Methods: Using data from the National Survey of American Life (n = 1,271), multivariable logistic regression was used to examine the relationship between discrimination and cigarette smoking. Results: Thirty-two percent of the men were current smokers. Controlling for everyday discrimination, major discrimination, major stress, depressive symptoms, age, being married, household income, and education, African American men who experienced major discrimination had a higher odd of being a current smoking (odds ratio: 1.11, 95% confidence interval: 1.02–1.21) than African American men who did not experience major discrimination. Conclusion/Importance: Findings suggest that African American men may use cigarette smoking as a mechanism to alleviate the experiences of discrimination. Future studies should continue to examine factors associated with African American men's smoking behavior in efforts to inform culturally relevant interventions.