Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Sodium channel subpopulations with distinct biophysical properties and subcellular localization enhance cardiac conduction

Sodium (Na+) current is responsible for the rapid depolarization of cardiac myocytes that triggers the cardiac action potential upstroke. Recent studies have illustrated the presence of multiple “pools” of Na+ channels with distinct biophysical properties and subcellular localization, including clustering of channels at the intercalated disk and along the lateral membrane. Computational studies predict that Na+ channel clusters at the intercalated disk can regulate cardiac conduction via modulation of the narrow intercellular cleft between electrically coupled myocytes. However, these studies have primarily focused on the redistribution of Na+ channels between intercalated disk and lateral membranes and not considered the distinct biophysical properties of the Na+ channel subpopulations. In this study, we simulate computational models of single cardiac cells and one-dimensional cardiac tissues to predict the functional consequence of distinct Na+ channel subpopulations. Single cell simulations predict that a subpopulation of Na+ channels with shifted steady-state activation and inactivation voltage-dependency promote an earlier action potential upstroke. In cardiac tissues that account for distinct subcellular spatial localization, simulations predict that “shifted” Na+ channels contribute to faster and more robust conduction, with regards to sensitivity to tissue structural changes (i.e., cleft width), gap junctional coupling, and rapid pacing rates. Simulations predict that the intercalated disk-localized shifted Na+ channels provide a disproportionally larger contribution to total Na+ charge, relative to lateral membrane-localized Na+ channels. Importantly, our work supports the hypothesis that Na+ channel redistribution may be a critical mechanism by which cells can rapidly respond to perturbations to support fast and robust conduction. Summary Sodium channels are organized in multiple “pools” with distinct biophysical properties and subcellular localization, but the role of these subpopulations is not well-understood. Computational modeling predicts that intercalated disk-localized sodium channels with shifted steady-state activation and inactivation voltage-dependence promote faster cardiac conduction.
The Voltage-Gated Sodium Channel in Drosophila, Para, Localizes to Dendrites As Well As Axons in Mechanosensitive Chordotonal Neurons

Abstract The fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster has provided important insights into how sensory information is transduced by transient receptor potential (TRP) channels in the peripheral nervous system (PNS). However, TRP channels alone have not been able to completely model mechanosensitive transduction in mechanoreceptive chordotonal neurons (CNs). Here, we show that, in addition to TRP channels, the sole voltage-gated sodium channel (NaV) in Drosophila, Para, is localized to the dendrites of CNs. Para is localized to the distal tip of the dendrites in all CNs, from embryos to adults, and is colocalized with the mechanosensitive TRP channels No mechanoreceptor potential C (NompC) and Inactive/Nanchung (Iav/Nan). Para localization also demarcates spike initiation zones (SIZs) in axons and the dendritic localization of Para is indicative of a likely dendritic SIZ in fly CNs. Para is not present in the dendrites of other peripheral sensory neurons. In both multipolar and bipolar neurons in the PNS, Para is present in a proximal region of the axon, comparable to the axonal initial segment (AIS) in vertebrates, 40–60 μm from the soma in multipolar neurons and 20–40 μm in bipolar neurons. Whole-cell reduction of para expression using RNAi in CNs of the adult Johnston’s organ (JO) severely affects sound-evoked potentials (SEPs). However, the duality of Para localization in the CN dendrites and axons identifies a need to develop resources to study compartment-specific roles of proteins that will enable us to better understand Para’s role in mechanosensitive transduction.
Topography modulates climate sensitivity of multidecadal trends of holm oak decline

Forest decline events have increased worldwide over the last decades, being holm oak one of the tree species with the most worrying trends across Europe. Previous research identified drought and soil pathogens as the main causes behind holm oak decline. However, despite tree health loss is a multifactorial phenomenon where abiotic and biotic factors interact in time and space, there are some abiotic factors whose influence has been commonly overlooked. Here, we evaluate how land use (forests versus savannas), topography, and climate extremes jointly relate to spatiotemporal patterns of holm oak defoliation over almost three decades (1987-2014) in Spain, where holm oak represents the 25% of the national forested area. We found an increasing defoliation trend in 119 of the total 134 holm oak plots evaluated, being this increase rate significantly higher in forests compared to savannas. Moreover, we have detected that the interaction between topography and summer drought can explain trends of holm oak decline across the Mediterranean region. While a higher occurrence of dry summers increases defoliation trends in complex terrains where forests dominate, an inverse relationship was found at flatter terrains where savannas are located. Our results contribute to growing evidence of the influence of local topography, tightly linked to potential soil water availability, on forest functioning, as it can shape forest vulnerability against climate extremes. The present work could assist the identification of potential tree decline hotspots over the Mediterranean region. Moreover, our findings suggest that forest adaptive management will be key to guarantee the health and future stability of Mediterranean oak ecosystems, especially in the topographically more complex areas where tree vulnerability to climate extremes may be greater.
Lasso-type sparse regression and high-dimensional Gaussian graphical models

High-dimensional datasets, where the number of measured variables is larger than the sample size, are not uncommon in modern real-world applications such as functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) data. Conventional statistical signal processing tools and mathematical models could fail at handling those datasets. Therefore, developing statistically valid models and computationally efficient algorithms for highdimensional situations are of great importance in tackling practical and scientific problems. This thesis mainly focuses on the following two issues: (1) recovery of sparse regression coefficients in linear systems; (2) estimation of high-dimensional covariance matrix and its inverse matrix, both subject to additional random noise. In the first part, we focus on the Lasso-type sparse linear regression. We propose two improved versions of the Lasso estimator when the signal-to-noise ratio is low: (i) to leverage adaptive robust loss functions; (ii) to adopt a fully Bayesian modeling framework. In solution (i), we propose a robust Lasso with convex combined loss function and study its asymptotic behaviors. We further extend the asymptotic analysis to the Huberized Lasso, which is shown to be consistent even if the noise distribution is Cauchy. In solution (ii), we propose a fully Bayesian Lasso by unifying discrete prior on model size and continuous prior on regression coefficients in a single modeling framework. Since the proposed Bayesian Lasso has variable model sizes, we propose a reversible-jump MCMC algorithm to obtain its numeric estimates. In the second part, we focus on the estimation of large covariance and precision matrices. In high-dimensional situations, the sample covariance is an inconsistent estimator. To address this concern, regularized estimation is needed. For the covariance matrix estimation, we propose a shrinkage-to-tapering estimator and show that it has
Laser air-breathing jet engine

A report is given of a theoretical and experimental study of the problem of vehicle propulsion in the earth's atmosphere under the action of shock waves produced as a result of CO2-laser-induced optical breakdown of air. It is shown that there are certain optimal conditions for the transfer of pressure impulses to receivers. Conical and parabolic receivers are used as an example to show that there are maximum values of the specific impulse (also known as the coupling coefficient). The experimentally obtained specific impulse values ~500 μNsecJ–1 are close to the maximum values deduced from the point explosion theory. Realization of motion of a parabolic reflector in a glass tube is reported for a pulse-periodic regime of laser emission with an average power of ~25W. The thrust obtained is reported.
The maximum entropy production principle in climate models : application to the faint young sun paradox

Current theories of stellar evolution imply that the solar luminosity was 25-30% less than at present during early phases of the Earth's history. the response of the global annual climate to changes of the solar input is examined using the maximum entropy production (MEP) principle and a zonal energy balance model including ice-albedo feedback. It is shown that this formulation reproduces satisfactorily the present meridional heat flux and latitudinal temperature distributions. It is found that the model predicts that the efficiency of the meridional heat transport decreases for low values of the solar constant. Consequently, if the solar irradiance is lowered, a progressive development of the polar caps and a decrease of the global surface temperature are obtained without major irreversibility in the system. A comparison with a similar model including diffusive heat transport formalism shows that the value of the critical solar luminosity causing a global glaciation is decreased when the meridional heat fluxes are determined by the MEP principle.
An investigation of water and energy budgets for the BALTEX region based on short-range numerical weather predictions

The Baltic Sea Experiment (BALTEX) aims at understanding the water and energy budget of the Baltic Sea region and of the catchment area of its tributaries. Some of the budget components are investigated using results of short-range numerical weather predictions. Comparing these modelling results with climatological estimates of the respective budget components provides a valuable tool for model validation. At the same time, budget components which are not likely to be determined from observations, as, e.g., area mean evaporation, are available from model results. Thus, complete and consistent water and energy budgets can, at least in principle, be gained from model simulations. This study indicates the overall ability of the model to simulate the gross features of the water and energy budgets of the BALTEX region. Some model deficiencies are also clearly recognizable. They require further attention and instigate model improvement. DOI: 10.1034/j.1600-0870.1996. t01-4-00008.x
Multiple ionization of noble gases by 2.0 MeV proton impact: comparison with equi-velocity electron impact ionization

Absolute single- and multiple-ionization cross sections of rare gases (He, Ne, Ar, Kr and Xe) have been measured for collisions with 2.0 MeV p+. A comparison is made with equi-velocity electron impact ionization cross sections as well as with the available proton impact data. For the light rare gases the single-ionization cross sections are essentially the same for both proton and electron impacts, but increasing differences appear for the heavier targets.
Motion planning for the heat equation

SUMMARYThe paper gives an explicit open-loop control, able to approximately steer the one-dimensional heatequationwith control onthe boundaryfromanystate to any otherstate. The controlisobtained thankstoaparametrizationofthesolutionsoftheheatequationbyaseriesinvolvingin"nitelymanyderivativesofthesystem &#at output’. Copyright ( 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. KEY WORDS : heat equation; boundary control; motion planning; #atness; Gevrey functions; approximatecontrollability 1. INTRODUCTIONMotion planning, i.e. the construction of an open-loop control connecting an initial state toa "nal state, is a fundamental problem of control theory both from a practical and theoreticalpointofview.Forsystemsgovernedby ordinary di! erentialequationsthenotionof- atness [1,2]providesaconstructivesolutiontothisproblem.AsnoticedinReference[2],theideaunderlyingequivalence and #atness*the existence of a one-to-one correspondence between trajectories ofsystems*can be adapted to partial di! erential equations [3}5] with boundary control.In this paper, which develops ideas introduced in [2, 6], we study in this spirit the heat equationwithonespacedimension and controlontheboundary.Wegive anexplicitparametrizationofthetrajectoriesasapower series inthespacevariablewithcoe $cients involvingtimederivatives ofthe&#at’ output. This series is convergent when the #atoutput is restricted to be a Gevrey function (i.e.asmoothfunctionwitha¬ too divergent’ Taylor expansion). This parameterization
A prospective observational study to evaluate effect of heat inactivation on ABO titers performed by column agglutination technology and conventional tube technique

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: When determining ABO antibody titers, immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies can be masked by immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibodies. Hence, the measurement of actual concentration of IgG requires methods like heat inactivation (HI) of plasma. This study was aimed at determining the effects of HI on IgM and IgG titers performed by conventional tube technique (CTT) and column agglutination technique (CAT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a prospective, observational study conducted from October 2019 to March 2020. All consecutive A, B, and O group donors who gave consent for participation were included. All samples were consecutively tested by CTT and CAT, before and after HI (pCTT, pCAT). RESULTS: A total of 300 donors were included. IgG titers were found to be more than IgM titers. For group O, IgG titer results were higher for both anti-A and anti-B compared to group A and B. For group A, B, and O, pretreatment results were higher than posttreatment IgG titer results. Median anti-A titers were similar to median anti-B titers across all categories. Median IgM and IgG titers were higher for group O individuals than nongroup O individuals. There was reduction in IgG and IgM titers after HI of plasma. One log reduction in median titers was observed when ABO titers were performed by CAT and CTT. CONCLUSION: There is one log difference between median antibody titers estimated using heat inactivated and nonheat inactivated plasma. The use of HI for ABO isoagglutinin titer estimation can be considered in low resource settings.
Comparison of two different doses of magnesium sulfate as an adjuvant to intrathecal bupivacaine in patients with pre-eclampsia undergoing elective cesarean section: A prospective double-blind randomized study

Background: Intrathecal magnesium sulfate is now emerging as a safe and effective adjuvant for spinal anesthesia (SA). The aim of the present study was to compare the efficacy of two doses of intrathecal magnesium in parturients with pre-eclampsia. Methods: This prospective randomized double-blind study was conducted on 105 parturients undergoing elective cesarean section (CS) who were randomized into three groups of 35 each: Group C, M50, and M75. Group M50 and group M75 received 50 mg of 50% (0.1 ml) and 75 mg of 50% (0.15 ml) magnesium sulfate, respectively. All of the groups received 10 mg of 0.5% heavy bupivacaine with normal saline accordingly to make a total volume of 2.2 ml. The sensory and motor block characteristics, visual analogue scale (VAS) score, post-operative analgesic requirements, hemodynamic parameters, and adverse effects were compared. Results: The sensory and motor block characteristics were significantly delayed in group M75 compared to group M50 and the control group (P < 0.05). VAS scores were significantly high in the control group up to 6 h as compared to group M50 and group M75 (P < 0.05). The time to first rescue analgesia was significantly extended in group M75 (222.86 ± 12.502 min) as compared to group M50 (221.14 ± 13.671 min) and the control group (127.43 ± 11.464 min) (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Intrathecal magnesium sulfate at doses of 50 mg and 75 mg in pre-eclamptic parturients undergoing elective CS results in prolonged duration of analgesia, decreased VAS scores and also delays the first rescue analgesic requirement with a favorable adverse effect profile in terms of decreased incidence of nausea and shivering.
Mechanisms of impulsive magnetic reconnection: Global and local aspects

The global and local aspects of mechanisms of impulsive magnetic reconnection are discussed focusing on results from a dedicated laboratory experiment, MRX (Magnetic Reconnection Experiment), as well as fusion experiments. Possible application of the present analysis to reconnection phenomena in solar and space plasmas is also discussed. An external force which drives internal current in a fusion plasma causes magnetic flux to accumulate in a core section of the plasma (flux build-up). When the flux build-up generates a magnetic profile that satisfies a condition for a global magnetohydrodynamic instability to develop, reconnection takes place in an induced current layer generated by the instability leading to a global self-organization of the plasma. Generally the flux build-up phase is significantly longer than the reconnection time, τH ≫ τRec, thus making the waveform of flux evolution or other plasma parameters sawtooth shaped. In the reconnection layer of collisionless plasmas, the two fluid dynamics.
On a third order parabolic equation with a nonlocal boundary condition

In this paper we demonstrate the existence, uniqueness and continuous dependence of a strong solution upon the data, for a mixed problem which combine classical boundary conditions and an integral condition, such as the total mass, flux or energy, for a third order parabolic equation. We present a functional analysis method based on an a priori estimate and on the density of the range of the operator generated by the studied problem.
Basic Operative Tactics for Pulmonary Echinococcosis in the Era of Endostaplers and Energy Devices

Human echinococcosis is a zoonotic infection caused by the larvae of the tapeworm species Echinococcus. The liver is the most common location for a primary echinococcosis. However, the parasite may bypass or spread from the liver to the lungs, causing primary or secondary pulmonary echinococcosis, respectively. Pulmonary echinococcosis is a clinically challenging condition in which anthelminthic regiments are important, but surgery has the central role in removing the cysts and preventing recurrences. Surgical treatment may involve cystotomy, enucleation, capitonnage, or atypical resections, which occasionally are in combination with hepatic procedures. The utilization of modern devices is greatly underdescribed in surgery for thoracic infections, even though these facilitate much of the work. Therefore, this article aims to describe pulmonary echinococcosis and the role of modern surgical devices in the treatment process. Furthermore, we report surgical treatment of three different cases of pulmonary echinococcosis. Surgeries of uncomplicated and ruptured hepatic or pulmonary cysts are described. Simple small pulmonary echinococcal lesions can be excised by endostaplers both for diagnostic and curative reasons. Larger cysts can be removed by energy devices unless large bronchial air leaks occur. Complicated cysts require treatment by more extensive techniques. Inexperienced surgeons should not abstain but should carefully decide preoperatively how to proceed.
Factors Associated with Willingness toward Organ Donation in China: A Nationwide Cross-Sectional Analysis Using a Social–Ecological Framework

Improving public willingness toward organ donation is an important solution to the low organ donation rate. This study aimed to explore factors impacting public willingness for organ donation in China from a multi-agent perspective and further explore the impact of these factors on high or low willingness, using a social–ecological framework. Data from a total of 11,028 (effective rate, 94.18%) participants were analysed. Generalised linear model (GLM) and quantile regression were used to explore factors associated with willingness and high/low willingness toward organ donation, respectively. The mean willingness toward organ donation was 56.9 (range, 0–100) points. GLM regression revealed that age, family health, males, lower educational levels, and agricultural hukou were negatively associated with willingness. For personality, conscientiousness was negatively associated with willingness, whereas openness was positively associated with willingness. Health literacy perceived social support, and media utilisation were positively associated with willingness. Quantile regression further indicated that educational levels of college, bachelor, master’s, and PhD, openness, health literacy, perceived social support, and media utilisation were positively associated with organ donation willingness at all percentiles. It is necessary to adopt more targeted and diversified publicity, education, and guidance for different types of individuals. Meanwhile, social support needs to be strengthened. To enhance the willingness of the residents to donate organs, media publicity should be strengthened, particularly by using modern ways to improve their health literacy.
Nuclear coherence‐transfer echoes in pulsed EPR

Nuclear coherence‐transfer echoes created in disordered electron–nuclear spin systems by microwave pulses are described. Once nuclear coherence is generated, a nonselective microwave π pulse inverts the electron spins thereby interchanging nuclear coherence between the two electron spin manifolds. This exchange refocuses the inhomogeneity of the secular part of the hyperfine interaction. The mechanisms of echo formation for weak and strong hyperfine couplings are explained by using simple vector diagrams. Various methods to create and detect nuclear coherence by microwave pulses are discussed with special attention directed to the sequence π/2–τ–π/2–t1–π–t2–π/2–τ. In this four‐pulse experiment the nuclear coherence‐transfer echo is observed as an amplitude modulation of the electron spin echo intensity. The nuclear coherence‐transfer echo can be shifted to a time interval fully separated from the one covered by the instrumental deadtime. The time evolution of an S=1/2, I=1/2 model spin system during the f.