Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Characteristics of cloud cluster over the steep southern slopes of the Himalayas observed by CloudSat

A cloud cluster (CC) dataset is presented using CloudSat Cloud Profile Radar (CPR) observations from June to August, between 2006 and 2010. The CCs were defined by grouping contiguous cloud pixels using a defined criteria, including reflectivity, ‘cloud mask’, and topographic information. The characteristics of identified CCs were then analysed. Based on the complex topography of the southern Himalayas, four adjacent regions were selected, including the flat Gangetic Plains (FGP), the foothills of the Himalayas (FHH), the steep slope of the southern Himalayas (SSSH), and the Himalayan‐Tibetan Plateau (HTPT). The characteristics of the CCs in the four regions were different, and the distribution of the cloud‐top height gradually changed from bimodal (3 and 15 km) over the FGP and FHH, to unimodal (7–9 km) over the HTPT. From the plain to the Plateau, the average cloud‐top height and cloud‐base height increased after an initial decrease. The maximum reflectivity increased from −6 (plain) to 2 dBZ (slope areas), and then decreased to −2 dBZ (Plateau), which suggests that the CCs may produce precipitation on the slope. Maximum CCs occurred over the FHH. The characteristics of the CCs also showed semidiurnal variation, which may have been affected by the variation of the monsoon and the circulation over the mountain valley. According to the physical principles of the cloud‐type definitions from ISCCP, high‐level cirrus, deep convective CCs, and mid‐ to low‐level CCs were categorized. As the elevation increased, the cloud‐top height of the mid‐ to low‐level CCs also significantly increased to 8 km, whereas the cloud‐top height of the high‐level cirrus clouds decreased. Our results suggest that the different characteristics of CCs may be caused by a strong upward motion interacting with the terrain of the Himalayas.
Amplitude Compression for Preventing Rollover at Above-Conversational Speech Levels

Hearing aids provide nonlinear amplification to improve speech audibility and loudness perception. While more audibility typically increases speech intelligibility at low levels, the same is not true for above-conversational levels, where decreases in intelligibility (“rollover”) can occur. In a previous study, we found rollover in speech intelligibility measurements made in quiet for 35 out of 74 test ears with a hearing loss. Furthermore, we found rollover occurrence in quiet to be associated with poorer speech intelligibility in noise as measured with linear amplification. Here, we retested 16 participants with rollover with three amplitude-compression settings. Two were designed to prevent rollover by applying slow- or fast-acting compression with a 5:1 compression ratio around the “sweet spot,” that is, the area in an individual performance-intensity function with high intelligibility and listening comfort. The third, reference setting used gains and compression ratios prescribed by the “National Acoustic Laboratories Non-Linear 1” rule. Speech intelligibility was assessed in quiet and in noise. Pairwise preference judgments were also collected. For speech levels of 70 dB SPL and above, slow-acting sweet-spot compression gave better intelligibility in quiet and noise than the reference setting. Additionally, the participants clearly preferred slow-acting sweet-spot compression over the other settings. At lower levels, the three settings gave comparable speech intelligibility, and the participants preferred the reference setting over both sweet-spot settings. Overall, these results suggest that, for listeners with rollover, slow-acting sweet-spot compression is beneficial at 70 dB SPL and above, while at lower levels clinically established gain targets are more suited.
Beam-Mode Buckling of Buried Pipeline Subjected to Seismic Ground Motion

During seismic events, buried pipelines are subjected to deformation by seismic ground motion. In such cases, it is important to ensure the integrity of the pipeline. Both beam-mode and shell-mode buckling may occur in the event of compressive loading induced by seismic ground motion. In this study, the beam-mode buckling of a buried pipeline that occurred after the 2007 Niigataken Chuetsu-oki earthquake in Japan is investigated. A simple formula for estimating the critical strain, which is the strain at the peak load, is derived, and the formula is validated by finite-element analysis. In the formula, the critical strain increases with the pipeline diameter and hardness of the surrounding soil. By comparing the critical strain derived in this study for beam-mode buckling with the critical strain derived in a past study for shell-mode buckling, the formula facilitates the selection of the mode to be considered for evaluating the earthquake resistance of a pipeline. In addition to the critical strain, a method to estimate the deformation caused by seismic ground motion is proposed; the method can be used to evaluate the earthquake resistance of buried pipelines. This method uses finite-element analyses, and the soil–pipe interaction is considered. This method is used to reproduce the actual beam-mode buckling observed after the Niigataken Chuetsu-oki earthquake, and the earthquake resistance of a buried pipeline with general properties is evaluated as an example.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
Transforming growth factor-β and bone morphogenetic protein signaling pathways in pathological cardiac hypertrophy

ABSTRACT Pathological cardiac hypertrophy (referred to as cardiac hypertrophy) is a maladaptive response of the heart to a variety of pathological stimuli, and cardiac hypertrophy is an independent risk factor for heart failure and sudden death. Currently, the treatments for cardiac hypertrophy are limited to improving symptoms and have little effect. Elucidation of the developmental process of cardiac hypertrophy at the molecular level and the identification of new targets for the treatment of cardiac hypertrophy are crucial. In this review, we summarize the research on multiple active substances related to the pathogenesis of cardiac hypertrophy and the signaling pathways involved and focus on the role of transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling in the development of cardiac hypertrophy and the identification of potential targets for molecular intervention. We aim to identify important signaling molecules with clinical value and hope to help promote the precise treatment of cardiac hypertrophy and thus improve patient outcomes.
Escape Mutations Lymphocytes Resulting from Nef Epitope Broadly Increased Sensitivity to Cytotoxic T

McElrath, John C. Guatelli and Otto O. YangD. Richman, Beth D. Jamieson, Yan Ding, M. Juliana Ayub Ali, Satish Pillai, Hwee Ng, Rachel Lubong, Douglashttp://www.jimmunol.org/content/171/8/3999J Immunol€2003; 171:3999-4005; ;Referenceshttp://www.jimmunol.org/content/171/8/3999.full#ref-list-1This article cites 42 articles, 22 of which you can access for free at: Subscriptionshttp://jimmunol.org/subscriptionsInformation about subscribing to The Journal of Immunology is online at: Permissionshttp://www.aai. org/ji/copyright.htmlSubmit copyright permission requests at: Email Alertshttp://jimmunol.org/cgi/alerts/etocReceive free email-alerts when new articles cite this article. Sign up at:
Identifying and understanding barriers to optimal complementary feeding in Kenya

Abstract Optimal complementary feeding between the ages of 6 and 23 months provides children with the required range of nutritious and safe foods while continuing to be breastfed to meet their needs for essential nutrients and develop their full physical and cognitive potential. The rates of exclusive breastfeeding in the first 6 months of life have increased from 32% in 2008 to 60% in 2022 in Kenya. However, the proportion of children between 6 and 23 months receiving a minimum acceptable diet remains low and has declined from 39% in 2008 to 31% in 2023. The Kenyan Ministry of Health, GAIN and UNICEF collaborated to understand the drivers of complementary feeding practices, particularly proximal determinants, which can be directly addressed and acted upon. A secondary analysis of household surveys and food composition data was conducted to outline children's dietary patterns within the different regions of Kenya and the extent to which the affordability of animal‐source foods could be improved. Ethnographic data were analyzed to identify socio‐cultural barriers to optimal complementary feeding. Furthermore, we outlined the critical steps for developing user‐friendly and low‐cost complementary feeding recipes. The results of all the analyses are presented in five of the six papers of this Special Issue with this additional paper introducing the Kenyan context and some of the critical findings. The Special Issue has highlighted multidimensional barriers surrounding the use and availability of animal‐source foods. Furthermore, it emphasizes the need for a multi‐sectoral approach in enacting policies and programmes that address these barriers.
A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis

Background:Cancer continues to be a severe global health problem and the leading cause of death worldwide. Chemotherapy as the main treatment has various side effects, of which marrow suppression is the most common one. Acupuncture had shown clinical effects for marrow suppression after chemotherapy in many studies. However, the efficacy and safety of acupuncture therapy for marrow suppression after chemotherapy remains unclear. Objective: This protocol aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of acupuncture for marrow suppression after chemotherapy according to the existing randomized controlled trials. Methods and analysis: The randomized controlled trials on acupuncture therapy for marrow suppression after chemotherapy will be searched in the database of Embase, PubMed and Cochrane Library, Allied and Complementary Medicine Database (AMED), Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (CBM), China Science and Technology Journal Database (VIP), China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), WanFang Database (WF), and related registration platforms (WHO ICTRP, Clinical Trials, and Chinese Clinical Trial Register [ChiCTR]), Grey Literature Database from inception to 1 August 2020. The primary outcomes will be assessed using white blood cell (WBC) count, platelet count, hemoglobin count and the number of neutrophils (N). Review Manager V.5. 3 software will be applied for statistical analyses. Wewill measure the risk of bias of the included studies with Cochrane Collaboration Risk of Bias Tool. Finally, Grades of Recommendation, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) will be used to grade the overall quality of evidence. And we will use the intra-group correlation coefficient to assess the consistency of reviewers. Result: This systematic review and meta-analysis will put a high-quality synthesis of the efficacy and safety of acupuncture treatment in marrow suppression after chemotherapy. Conclusion: The conclusion of this systematic review will provide evidence to assess acupuncture therapy is an efficacy and safe intervention to treat and control marrow suppression after chemotherapy. PROSPERO registration number: PROSPERO CRD42020163336 Abbreviations: RCT = randomized controlled trial, SR = systematic reviews.
LITAF protects against pore-forming protein–induced cell death by promoting membrane repair

Pore-forming toxins (PFTs) are the largest class of bacterial toxins and contribute to virulence by triggering host cell death. Vertebrates also express endogenous pore-forming proteins that induce cell death as part of host defense. To mitigate damage and promote survival, cells mobilize membrane repair mechanisms to neutralize and counteract pores, but how these pathways are activated is poorly understood. Here, we use a transposon-based gene activation screen to discover pathways that counteract the cytotoxicity of the archetypal PFT Staphylococcus aureus α-toxin. We identify the endolysosomal protein LITAF as a mediator of cellular resistance to PFT-induced cell death that is active against both bacterial toxins and the endogenous pore, gasdermin D, a terminal effector of pyroptosis. Activation of the ubiquitin ligase NEDD4 by potassium efflux mobilizes LITAF to recruit the endosomal sorting complexes required for transport (ESCRT) machinery to repair damaged membrane. Cells lacking LITAF, or carrying naturally occurring disease-associated mutations of LITAF, are highly susceptible to pore-induced death. Notably, LITAF-mediated repair occurs at endosomal membranes, resulting in expulsion of damaged membranes as exosomes, rather than through direct excision of pores from the surface plasma membrane. These results identify LITAF as a key effector that links sensing of cellular damage to repair. The endosomal protein LITAF links membrane damage caused by toxins and gasdermin D to ESCRT-mediated repair, promoting cell survival. Editor’s summary Membrane pores caused by bacterial pore-forming toxins (PFTs) or endogenous pore-forming proteins can trigger cell death. Membrane repair machinery can promote cell survival and resistance to PFTs, but the cellular mechanisms underlying defense against these toxins are not well defined. Stefani et al. performed a transposon mutagenesis screen to identify genes involved in resistance to Staphylococcus aureus α-toxin–induced cell death. They identified that LITAF, an endolysosomal protein, was required for cell survival after α-toxin– and gasdermin D–induced cell death. K+ efflux through membrane pores promoted LITAF localization to endosomes containing α-toxin and initiated assembly of ESCRT machinery, resulting in secretion of damaged membrane in exosomes. This work uncovers a key role for LITAF in sensing plasma membrane damage and activating membrane repair machinery. —Hannah Isles
An Outcome Analysis of Fibrin Sealant versus Staples for Fixation of Split-Thickness Skin Grafts

Abstract Background Skin grafting plays a vital role in post-burn and post-traumatic wound management. Split-thickness skin grafts (STSG) are traditionally fixed using staples or sutures, which have tedious application and their removal necessitates painkillers, medical equipment, and human intervention. As an alternative, fibrin sealant is a biological tissue adhesive, composed of thrombin, calcium, and fibrinogen. Fibrin sealant promotes hemostasis and acts as a biological adherent. Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcomes (graft take, wound healing and complications) of fibrin sealant and staples for STSG fixation. Methods It is a randomized controlled trial on 40 patients with wounds of minimum 400 cm 2 . Wound area was divided into equal halves and randomly allocated to the study group or control group. In the study group, 4 mL per 200 cm 2 of fibrin sealant was sprayed followed by STSG application. In the control group, STSG was fixed with only skin staples. Evaluation was done on postoperative days 3, 5, 15, and 30 for graft take, hematoma/seroma, infection, and complete wound healing. Results The mean graft take was significantly higher ( p -value < 0.05) in the study group than in the control group (91 vs. 89%). No seroma or hematoma formation was seen in either group. Complete wound healing was seen in more patients in the study group, but the difference was statistically insignificant. Conclusion Fibrin sealant is an excellent alternative to staples for skin grafting, with the advantage of better graft take and being free of pain that is incurred during staple removal.
Evaluation of chemical control for nonnative crayfish at a warm-water fish production hatchery

Invasive crayfish are known to displace native crayfish species, alter aquatic habitat and community structure and function, and are serious pests for fish hatcheries. White River Crawfish (WRC; Procambarus acutus) were inadvertently introduced to a warm-water fish hatchery in Missouri, USA, possibly in an incoming fish shipment. We evaluated the use of chemical control for crayfish to ensure incoming and outgoing fish shipments from hatcheries do not contain live crayfish. We conducted acute (≤24 hr) static toxicity tests to determine potency, dose-response, and selectivity of pesticides to WRC, Virile Crayfish (VC; Orconectes virilis), and Fathead Minnow (FHM; Pimephales promelas). Testing identified a formulation of cypermethrin (Cynoff®) as the most potent of five pesticides evaluated for toxicity to crayfish. A 4-hr exposure to a cypermethrin concentration of 100 μg · L-1 was found to kill 100% of juvenile and adult WRC; however, adult VC were not consistently killed. Concentrations of cypermethrin ≤100 μg · L-1 did not cause significant (>10%) mortality in juvenile FHM. Additional testing is needed to examine selectivity between crayfish and hatchery fish species. Biosecurity protocols at hatcheries that use chemical control have the potential to reliably prevent inadvertent transfers of live crayfish in fish shipments. Copyright © 2016 by The Author(s). Published by the International Association of Astacology. This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC-BY 4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. A R T I C L E I N F O Article History: Submitted: 23 AUG 2016 Accepted: 15 DEC 2016 Published Online: 31 DEC 2016 Published Print: 31 DEC 2016
Generalisability of trials on antithrombotic treatment intensification in patients with cardiovascular disease

Objective Assessment of generalisability of guideline-informing trials on antithrombotic treatment intensification to real-world patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD). Methods Inclusion and exclusion criteria of the Cardiovascular Outcomes for People Using Anticoagulation Strategies (COMPASS), Clopidogrel for High Atherothrombotic Risk and Ischemic Stabilization, Management and Avoidance (CHARISMA), Prevention of Cardiovascular events in Patients with Prior Heart Attack Using Ticagrelor Compared to Placebo on a Background of Aspirin-Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (PEGASUS-TIMI) and Dual Antiplatelet Therapy (DAPT) study were applied to coronary artery disease (CAD) and/or peripheral artery disease (PAD) patients from Utrecht Cardiovascular Cohort-Second Manifestations of Arterial Disease (UCC-SMART) to determine real-world eligibility. Eligible and ineligible patients were compared on baseline characteristics, cardiovascular events, major bleeding and mortality. Results Eligibility ranged from 11%–94% for CAD to 75%–90% for patients with PAD. Cardiovascular, bleeding and mortality risks were higher in COMPASS-eligible patients with CAD (rate ratios (RR) 1.98 (95% CI 1.74 to 2.26), 2.02 (95% CI 1.47 to 2.78) and 3.11 (95% CI 2.71 to 3.57), respectively) and CHARISMA-eligible patients (RR 1.51 (95% CI 1.12 to 2.06), 2.25 (95% CI 1.01 to 6.21) and 4.43 (95% CI 2.79 to 7.51), respectively), and lower in COMPASS-eligible patients with PAD (RR 0.45 (95% CI 0.36 to 0.56), 0.29 (95% CI 0.18 to 0.46) and 0.45 (95% CI 0.38 to 0.54), respectively) and DAPT-eligible patients with CAD (RR CVD 0.49 (95% CI 0.34 to 0.69) and mortality 0.67 (95% CI 0.48 to 0.94)) than ineligible patients. After adjustment for trial eligibility criteria, only higher cardiovascular and mortality risks in COMPASS-eligible patients with CAD and lower cardiovascular risks in CHARISMA-eligible and DAPT-eligible patients persisted with CAD. Conclusion A large proportion of contemporary CVD patients would be eligible for intensified antithrombotic treatment trials, with mostly similar adjusted event risks to ineligible patients. Trial-based guideline recommendations are largely applicable to real-world patients.
UEFA Women’s Elite Club Injury Study: a prospective study on 1527 injuries over four consecutive seasons 2018/2019 to 2021/2022 reveals thigh muscle injuries to be most common and ACL injuries most burdensome

Objective Injuries in women’s football (soccer) have scarcely been investigated, and no study has been conducted in the highest competitive level involving club teams from different countries. Our aim was to investigate the time-loss injury epidemiology and characteristics among women’s elite football players over four seasons. Methods 596 players from 15 elite women’s teams in Europe were studied prospectively during the 2018/2019 to 2021/2022 seasons (44 team seasons). Medical staff recorded individual player exposure and time-loss injuries. Injury incidence was calculated as the number of injuries per 1000 playing hours and injury burden as the number of days lost per 1000 hours. Results 1527 injuries were recorded in 463 players with an injury incidence of 6.7 (95% CI 6.4 to 7.0) injuries per 1000 hours and a nearly fourfold higher incidence during match play compared with training (18.4, 95% CI 16.9 to 19.9 vs 4.8, 95% CI 4.5 to 5.1; rate ratio 3.8, 95% CI 3.5 to 4.2). Thigh muscle injuries (hamstrings 12%, 188/1527, and quadriceps 11%, 171/1527) were the most frequent injury, while anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury had the highest burden (38.0 days lost per 1000 hours, IQR 29.2–52.1) with median days lost of 292 (IQR 246–334) days. Concussions constituted 3% (47/1527) of all injuries, with more than half of them (55%, 26/47) due to ball-related impact. Conclusion An elite women’s football team can expect approximately 35 time-loss injuries per season. Thigh muscle injury was the most common injury and ACL injury had the highest injury burden.
Safety of Bioplasma FDP and Hemopure in rhesus macaques after 30% hemorrhage

Objectives Prehospital transfusion can be life-saving when transport is delayed but conventional plasma, red cells, and whole blood are often unavailable out of hospital. Shelf-stable products are needed as a temporary bridge to in-hospital transfusion. Bioplasma FDP (freeze-dried plasma) and Hemopure (hemoglobin-based oxygen carrier; HBOC) are products with potential for prehospital use. In vivo use of these products together has not been reported. This study assessed the safety of intravenous administration of HBOC+FDP, relative to normal saline (NS), in rhesus macaques (RM). Methods After 30% blood volume removal and 30 minutes in shock, animals were resuscitated with either NS or two units (RM size adjusted) each of HBOC+FDP during 60 minutes. Sequential blood samples were collected. After neurological assessment, animals were killed at 24 hours and tissues collected for histopathology. Results Due to a shortage of RM during the COVID-19 pandemic, the study was stopped after nine animals (HBOC+FDP, seven; NS, two). All animals displayed physiologic and tissue changes consistent with hemorrhagic shock and recovered normally. There was no pattern of cardiovascular, blood gas, metabolic, coagulation, histologic, or neurological changes suggestive of risk associated with HBOC+FDP. Conclusion There was no evidence of harm associated with the combined use of Hemopure and Bioplasma FDP. No differences were noted between groups in safety-related cardiovascular, pulmonary, renal or other organ or metabolic parameters. Hemostasis and thrombosis-related parameters were consistent with expected responses to hemorrhagic shock and did not differ between groups. All animals survived normally with intact neurological function. Level of evidence Not applicable.