Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Spatiotemporal patterns and evolution of heavy rainfall trajectories in China

A heavy rainfall trajectory (HRT) is defined as the trajectory formed by the movement of the rainstorm centre of a heavy rainfall event over time. Based on this definition, the dispersion degree (DD) of HRTs is applied based on the Euclidean distance and an empirical orthogonal function (EOF) to quantify the spatiotemporal distribution and evolution characteristics of HRTs in China. The results show that (a) the spatial distribution and length of HRTs in China have distinct geographical and seasonal characteristics, which are strongly influenced by the East Asian summer monsoon. (b) From southeast China to northwest China, the DDs increased to 8 and the length of HRTs decreased by 53,925 m. (c) According to EOF analysis, the direction angle change of northeast‐oriented HRTs shows a significant negative trend across the country, while those of southeast‐, southwest‐ and northwest‐oriented HRTs show a significant positive trend. From 2008 to 2019, HRTs flattened in the northeast and southwest directions, while HRTs steepened in the southeast and northwest directions. This research provides certain scientific guidance for the prevention and mitigation of regional disasters and provides necessary theoretical support for the changing patterns of the climate system under the impact of climate change.
Media Enjoyment: A Synthesis

ABSTRACT The concept of media enjoyment has both delighted and frustrated entertainment scholars for several decades. Although a rich body of research highlights how media experiences can entertain, amuse, and enlighten audiences, the scholarship is conceptually, theoretically, and methodologically fragmented. In this synthesis paper, we first tackle conceptual issues, reviewing prior research that has both supported and challenged a hedonic approach to enjoyment. We then argue the enjoyment-as-attitude approach best explains the processes through which audiences experience enjoyment. We conclude by addressing definitional, methodological, and other implications for this approach. Areas for future research are also discussed.
Improved skill of Coupled Model Intercomparison Project phase 6 over phase 5 models in reproducing weather regimes in East Asia

We evaluate the performance of climate models from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project phases 5 (CMIP5) and 6 (CMIP6) in simulating the weather regimes over East Asia during the period from 1961 to 2005. The circulation patterns, frequencies and transition probabilities of the weather regimes are obtained by categorizing the daily 500‐hPa geopotential height (Z500) anomalies using the k‐means clustering algorithm. We identify four winter (WWR1‐4) and three summer weather regimes (SWR1‐3) in both reanalysis datasets and CMIP5/6 models. Significant increasing (declining) frequency trends in WWR3 (WWR4) and SWR2 (SWR1) are found in the ERA5 and NCEP/NCAR reanalysis datasets. On the whole, both generations of models demonstrate reasonable abilities to reproduce the circulation patterns of weather regimes based on the Z500 anomaly fields but overall underestimate the intensities of weather regime patterns, underestimate the occurrence frequencies of WWR3, SWR2, and SWR3, and overestimate the frequencies of WWR1, WWR2, WWR4, and SWR1. In terms of both the ensemble‐mean and pairwise comparisons, the CMIP6 models generally perform better than their CMIP5 counterparts in reproducing the circulation pattern intensities, occurrence frequencies during the whole period and the linear frequency trends and transition probabilities of the weather regimes both in winter and summer. Further analysis shows a highly positive correlation between the total frequency and transition performances but a lower correlation between the biases in the total frequency and intensity of weather regime patterns. The improved skill of CMIP6 over the CMIP5 models in reproducing the weather regimes over East Asia may be partly related to the increased vertical atmospheric resolution in the model.
The Character Engagement and Moral Adjustment Model (CEMAM): A Synthesis of More than Six Decades of Research

ABSTRACT Character liking, identification, and parasocial interaction/relationships are terms used in various literatures to describe character engagement. The current paper synthesizes more than six decades of research in media psychology and communication science to organize and delineate four processes related to character engagement with fictional characters: Attention, Appraisal, Affiliation, and Assessment. In addition to defining and distinguishing these four processes, we describe how they are influenced by narrative, character, and viewer features, leading to moral adjustment – that is, a viewer’s own morality being shaped and molded through exposure to fictional personae. We endeavor here to diminish conceptual confusion and to clarify causal, temporal, and reciprocal relationships between the four factors regarding moral adjustment in viewers. By uniting these processes under a single conceptual model, we provide a framework for understanding moral adjustment through character engagement that can serve as a launch point for more focused research projects.
Epithelia delimits glial apical polarity against mechanical shear to maintain glia-neuron - architecture

For an organ to maintain proper architecture and function, its different component cell-types must coordinate their cell-shapes with each other through life. While cell-intrinsic developmental mechanisms driving homotypic cell-cell coordination are known, how heterotypic cells collectively regulate cell-shape is less-clear. We report that, in a sense-organ, epithelial cells delimit and maintain polarity domains of contacting glia, and thereby, associated neuron shapes throughout life. Briefly, Hsp co-chaperone UNC-23/BAG2 keeps epithelial apical domains from deforming with animal movement. Epithelial apical domains stretch aberrantly and progressively in adult unc-23 mutant animals, which in an FGFR-dependent manner, dislocates glial apical cytoskeleton proteins SMA-1/βH-Spectrin and actin. This alters glial apical polarity and cell shape, and concomitantly, associated neuron-ending shape. Notably, UNC-23 acts temporally at a developmental critical period to maintain glia-neuron shape in adults, and spatially within a defined anatomical zone. Lastly, intervention in either epithelia, glia or neuron ameliorate or phenocopy unc-23 neural defects. Epi/endothelia resist mechanical stress and contact glia-neuron units across central/peripheral nervous systems and species, and all components of the identified molecular pathway are conserved and disease-relevant. Thus, we posit that analogous epithelia-glia mechanobiological coupling may broadly regulate glia-neuron shapes through animal life.
Distinction between slow waves and delta waves sheds light to sleep homeostasis and their association to hippocampal sharp waves ripples

Cortical slow waves and delta waves are hallmarks of NREM sleep and key elements in physiological processes such as memory consolidation and sleep homeostasis. However, no clear distinction has been made between the two types of electrophysiological events. We introduce a new distinction between slow waves, large amplitude waves on filtered LFP cortical signals, and delta waves, characterized by an inversion between deep and superficial layers and the co-occurrence with a cortical down state. Detection of slow waves, as large amplitude waves during NREM sleep, reveals that a large portion of them does not share the properties of delta waves and does not co-occur with cortical down states. Therefore, we distinguish type-1 slow waves, that are associated to a down state, from type-2 slow waves. We show that 1) only type-1 slow waves undergo strong homeostatic regulations and 2) type-2 slow waves create confusion about the temporal link with hippocampal sharp-wave ripples. Thus, we confirm that delta waves detected with our new method can be used as a proxy for down state. Altogether, this confirms the importance of a robust and accurate definition of delta waves to understand the fine neurophysiological mechanisms at stake during NREM sleep.
A stochastic estimator of the trace of the influence matrix for laplacian smoothing splines

An unbiased stochastic estimator of tr(I-A), where A is the influence matrix associated with the calculation of Laplacian smoothing splines, is described. The estimator is similar to one recently developed by Girard but satisfies a minimum variance criterion and does not require the simulation of a standard normal variable. It uses instead simulations of the discrete random variable which takes the values 1, -1 each with probability 1/2. Bounds on the variance of the estimator, similar to those established by Girard, are obtained using elementary methods. The estimator can be used to approximately minimize generalised cross validation (GCV) when using discretized iterative methods for fitting Laplacian smoothing splines to very large data sets. Simulated examples show that the estimated trace values, using either the estimator presented here or the estimator of Girard, perform almost as well as the exact values when applied to the minimization of GCV for n as small as a few hundred, where n is the number .
Recurrent evolution of small body size and loss of the sword ornament in Northern Swordtail fish

Across the tree of life, species have repeatedly evolved similar phenotypes. While well-studied for ecological traits, there is also evidence for convergent evolution of sexually selected traits. Swordtail fish (Xiphophorus) are a classic model system for studying sexual selection, and female Xiphophorus exhibit strong mate preferences for large male body size and a range of sexually dimorphic ornaments. However, sexually selected traits have been lost multiple times in the genus. Phylogenetic relationships between species in this group have historically been controversial, likely as a result of prevalent gene flow, resulting in uncertainty over the number of losses of ornamentation and large body size. Here, we use whole-genome sequencing approaches to re-examine phylogenetic relationships within a Xiphophorus clade that varies in the presence and absence of sexually selected traits. Using wild-caught individuals, we determine the phylogenetic placement of a small, unornamented species, X. continens, confirming an additional loss of ornamentation and large body size in the clade. With these revised phylogenetic relationships, we analyze evidence for coevolution between body size and other sexually selected traits using a phylogenetically independent contrasts approach. These results provide insights into the evolutionary pressures driving the recurrent loss of suites of sexually selected traits.
Quantitative measures of topographic and divergent/convergent connectivity in diffusion MRI of the human cerebral cortex

Spatial features of connections, such as topography and divergence/convergence, reflect the information-processing mechanisms crucial for understanding and modeling the brain. However, this has not yet been comprehensively investigated. Using diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging (dMRI) data, we developed a topographic factor (TF) and divergence/convergence factor (DC) to quantitatively explore the spatial connectivity patterns of one entire hemisphere of the human cerebral cortex. In the analysis, the early sensory areas, which are located far away from the center of the cerebral cortex, exhibited high topographic connectivity. In contrast, the limbic system, which is located proximal to the center, showed high divergence/convergence in two types of connectivity: one region to another region at the region-to-region level, and one region to all other regions at the global level. Topography had anti-correlation with divergence/convergence over the cerebral cortex, and the two types of divergence/convergence displayed positive correlation with each other. These results suggest that topographic and divergent/convergent connectivity are spatially organized with respect to cytoarchitecture over the cerebral cortex to optimize energy efficiency and information transfer performance in the cerebral cortex.
Dissociation of direct and peripheral transcranial magnetic stimulation effects in nonhuman primates

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a non-invasive brain stimulation method that is rapidly growing in popularity for studying causal brain-behavior relationships. However, its dose-dependent direct neural mechanisms, i.e., due to electric field or connectivity, and peripheral sensory co-stimulation effects remain debated. Understanding how TMS stimulation parameters affect brain responses is vital for the rational design of TMS protocols. Studying these mechanisms in humans is challenging due to the limited spatiotemporal resolution of available non-invasive neuroimaging methods. Here, we leverage invasive recordings of local field potentials in non-human primates to study TMS mesoscale responses. We demonstrate that early TMS-evoked potentials show a sigmoidal dose-response with stimulation intensity. We further show that stimulation responses are spatially specific. We employ several control conditions to dissociate direct neural responses from auditory and somatosensory co-activation. These results provide crucial evidence regarding TMS neural effects at the brain circuit level. Our findings are highly relevant for interpreting human TMS studies and biomarker developments for TMS target engagement in clinical applications.
Generation of anti-tumor chimeric antigen receptors incorporating T cell signaling motifs

Chimeric antigen receptors (CAR) T cells have been successfully used to treat lymphoma, leukemia, and multiple myeloma, but adverse effects due to cytokine secretion, CAR-T cell exhaustion, and loss of target antigen have limited their potential. Furthermore, while CARs have been designed to harness T Cell Receptor (TCR) signaling, they are significantly less sensitive than TCRs, resulting in suboptimal signaling. We have developed novel Chimeric Adapter Proteins (CAPs) that are designed to trigger signaling downstream of the TCRζ chain. CAPs are chimeric molecules that contain adapter domains in tandem with the kinase domain of ZAP70, fused to an extracellular targeting domain. We hypothesized that CAPs would be more potent than CARs because kinetic proofreading steps that define the signaling threshold and the inhibitory regulation of upstream molecules are bypassed. Indeed, second generation CAPs exhibited high anti-tumor efficacy, and significantly enhanced long-term in vivo tumor clearance in leukemia-bearing NSG mice as compared with conventional CD19-28ζ CAR-T. Mechanistically, CAPs were activated in an Lck-independent manner and displayed slower phosphorylation kinetics and a longer duration of signaling compared with 28ζ-CAR. The unique signaling properties of CAPs may therefore be harnessed to improve the in vivo efficacy of T cells engineered to express an anti-tumor chimeric receptor.
Instar determination by constrained gaussian mixture models according to Dyar’s rule

Despite its importance in ecological studies and pest controls, the lack of knowledge of the life cycle and the ambiguity of data challenge the accurate determination of insect nymphs regarding many insect species. Finite mixture models are often utilized to classify instars without knowing the instar number. This study derives parsimonious gaussian mixture models using parameter constraints motivated by Dyar’s rule. Dyar’s rule explains the growth pattern of larvae and nymphs of insects by assuming a constant ratio of head capsule width for every two adjacent development stages. Accordingly, every mean value of log-transformed data in each instar stage is considered a linear function, where two Dyar constants are an intercept and a slope for the instar stages, respectively, to infer the instar stage of samples. The common variance for every instar stage regarding log-transformed data can be assumed in a mixture model, as well. If valid, these assumptions will allow an efficient estimation of the model by reducing free parameters. As a result, four model hypotheses are proposed for each assumption of instar counts depending on whether these two parameter constraints are applied. After model estimation, the proposed method uses the ICL criterion to choose the optimal counts of nymphal stages, and parametric bootstrap LR tests are applied to decide the most efficient model regarding parameter constraints. The proposed method could attain the correct model settings during the simulation study. This study also discusses the interpretation of the results of real insect data sets that concord with Dyar’s rule or not.
The moulding of intra-specific trait variation by selection under ecological inheritance

Organisms continuously modify their environment, often impacting the fitness of future conspecifics due to ecological inheritance. When this inheritance is biased towards kin, selection favours modifications that increase the fitness of downstream individuals. How such selection shapes trait variation within populations remains poorly understood. Using mathematical modelling, we investigate the coevolution of multiple traits in a group-structured population when these traits affect the group environment, which is then bequeathed to future generations. We examine when such coevolution favours polymorphism as well as the resulting associations among traits. We find in particular that two traits become associated when one trait affects the environment while the other influences the likelihood that future kin experience this environment. To illustrate this, we model the coevolution of (a) the attack rate on a local renewable resource, which deteriorates environmental conditions, with (b) dispersal between groups, which reduces the likelihood that kin suffers from such deterioration. We show this often leads to the emergence of two highly-differentiated morphs: one that readily disperses and depletes local resources; and another that maintains these resources and tends to remain philopatric. More broadly, we suggest that ecological inheritance can contribute to phenotypic diversity and lead to complex polymorphism.
On the true shapes of galaxies

We analyse the distribution of axial ratios of images in the APM Bright Galaxy Survey (APMBGS). The sample analysed contains a total of 20 399 galaxies (2135 ellipticals, 4782 S0s, 13 482 spirals). For these objects the APM survey provides homogeneous measurements of image characteristics with great accuracy. We apply analytic inversion to infer the true distribution of axial ratios for oblate and prolate models. We also apply Monte Carlo techniques to explore triaxial models.
Benefits of spontaneous confidence alignment between dyad members

In many domains, imitating others’ behaviour can help individuals to solve problems that would be too difficult or too complex for the individuals. In collective decision making tasks, people have been shown to use confidence as a means to communicate the uncertainty surrounding internal noisy estimates. Here, we show that confidence alignment, namely, shifting average confidence between dyad members towards each other, naturally emerges when interacting with others’ opinions. This alignment has a measurable impact on group performance as well as the accuracy of individual members following information exchange. It is suggested that confidence alignment arises among individuals from the necessity of minimising confidence variation arising from task-unrelated variables (trait confidence), while at the same time maximising variation arising from stimulus characteristics (state confidence).
Spin‐dependent K‐ and L‐absorption measurements (invited)

Spin‐dependent absorption spectroscopy with circularly polarized synchrotron radiation is presented as a new method to study magnetism in magnetic solids. In the near‐edge absorption region, the spin‐dependent absorption coefficient probes the spin density of unoccupied states of selected angular momentum at the absorber atom. The spin‐dependent absorption effects as function of temperature contain information on the local magnetic coupling. A large spin‐dependent part of the absorption of ∼+0.22 at the Pt L2 edges in PtFe is observed in transmission and fluorescence mode.
Development and Validation of an Instrument to Measure Parental Attitude and Health Beliefs Toward Sexuality Education

The quality of sexuality education is significant in encouraging and expanding the knowledge of sexual and reproductive health (SRH). Parents’ attitudes and beliefs toward sexuality education contribute to the effectiveness of sexuality education in schools. Consequently, there is a need to provide a validated instrument to investigate parental attitude and beliefs toward school-based sexuality education. The objective of this study is to describe the development and test the psychometric properties of an instrument that measures the attitudes and beliefs of parents toward the implementation of sexuality education in primary schools within Malaysia. Items for the instrument in this study were developed through literature review via the deduction method. Data collection was conducted in two phases. The first phase involved 174 parents with children who were attending primary schools through convenience sampling. Then, the multistage sampling method was employed to collect data from 350 parents. Results from the exploratory factor analysis have identified four latent dimensions, which are attitude toward sexuality education, perceived benefits, perceived barriers, and self-efficacy, that support the SRH learning among primary school children. Confirmatory factor analysis demonstrates a good overall fit with the application of post hoc modifications. The results also indicate that the instrument has high internal consistency, as well as convergent and discriminant validity. Findings from this study have indicated that the instrument can be used as a valid and reliable measure to examine the attitudes and beliefs of parents toward sexuality education in primary schools within Malaysia.
Thermodynamic Budget Diagrams for the Hurricane Subcloud Layer

Abstract We reexamine the idealized hurricane boundary layer budget from Malkus and Riehl using vector diagrams for the thermodynamic budgets in the light of recent observations studies. We conclude that a large air-sea temperature difference can only be maintained with both large fluxes through cloud-base level and a large evaporative cooling of the subcloud layer. The high θE values observed in hurricane eyewalls can be reached if these cloud-base and evaporative fluxes are reduced and the subcloud layer moves toward the sea surface virtual potential temperature.