Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
On the orientation of stiff fibres suspended in turbulent flow in a planar contraction

The influence of turbulence on the orientation state of a dilute density matched suspension of stiff fibres at high Reynolds number in a planar contraction is investigated. High-speed imaging and laser-Doppler velocimetry techniques are used to quantify fibre orientation distribution and turbulent characteristics. A nearly homogeneous isotropic grid-generated turbulent flow is introduced at the contraction inlet. Flow Reynolds number and inlet turbulent characteristics are varied in order to determine their effects on orientation distribution. The orientation anisotropy is shown to be accurately modelled by a Fokker-Planck type equation. Results show that rotational diffusion is highly influenced by inlet turbulent characteristics and decays exponentially with convergence ratio. Furthermore, the effect of turbulent energy production in the contraction is shown to be negligible. Also, the results show that the flow Reynolds number has negligible effect on the development of orientation anisotropy, and the influence of turbulence on fibre rotation is negligible for rotational Péclet number $\gt$10.
Extraordinary diversity of the pinniped lactation triad: lactation and growth strategies of seals, sea lions, fur seals, and walruses

https://doi.org/10.1093/af/vfad037 This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted reuse, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. © Avery, Zinn Feature Article Extraordinary diversity of the pinniped lactation triad: lactation and growth strategies of seals, sea lions, fur seals, and walruses
US Features of the Parathyroid Glands: An Intraoperative Surgical Specimen Study

Purpose This study aimed to evaluate the US features of the parathyroid glands (PTGs) using surgical specimens of normal PTGs obtained during thyroid surgery. Materials and Methods This study included 34 normal PTGs from 17 consecutive patients who underwent thyroid surgery between December 2020 and March 2021. All normal PTGs were histologically confirmed by intraoperative frozen-section biopsy for autotransplantation. Surgically resected parathyroid specimens were scanned in sterile normal saline using high-resolution US prior to autotransplantation. The US features of echogenicity (hyperechogenicity or hypoechogenicity), echotexture (homogeneous or heterogeneous), size, and shape (ovoid or round) were retrospectively evaluated. The echogenicity of the three PTGs was compared with that of the thyroid parenchyma of the resected thyroid specimens in two patients. Results All PTGs showed hyperechogenicity similar to that of gauze soaked in normal saline. Homogeneous hyperechogenicity was observed in 32/34 (94.1%) patients, and the echogenicity of the three PTGs was hyperechoic compared with that of the thyroid parenchyma. The long diameter of the PTGs ranged from 5.1 mm to 9.8 mm (mean, 7.1 mm) and the shape of the PTGs was ovoid in 33/34 (97.1%) patients. Conclusion The echogenicity of normal PTG specimens was consistently hyperechoic, and the small ovoid homogeneously hyperechoic structure was a characteristic US feature of the PTGs.
Reproductive asynchrony within social groups of female eastern wild turkeys

Abstract Coordination in timing of reproduction is driven by multiple ecological and sociobiological processes for a wide array of species. Eastern wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo silvestris) use a male dominance polygynous mating system, where males communicate with females via elaborate courtship displays and vocalizations at display sites. Most females prefer to mate with dominant males; therefore, asynchronous breeding and nesting may occur which can disproportionately influence individual fitness within breeding groups. For female wild turkeys, there are reproductive advantages associated with earlier nesting. As such, we evaluated reproductive asynchrony within and between groups of GPS‐tagged female eastern wild turkeys based on timing of nest initiation. We examined 30 social groups with an average of seven females per group (range 2–15) during 2014–2019 in west central Louisiana. We found that the estimated number of days between first nest initiation across females within groups varied between 3 and 7 days across years, although we expected 1–2 days to occur between successive nesting attempts of females within groups based on observations of captive wild turkeys in the extant literature. The number of days between successive nest attempts across females within groups was lower for successful than failed attempts, and nests with an average of 2.8 days between initiation of another nest were more likely to hatch. Our findings suggest that asynchronous reproduction may influence reproductive success in female wild turkeys.
Positive parenting moderates associations between childhood stress and corticolimbic structure

Abstract Childhood stress has a deleterious impact on youth behavior and brain development. Resilience factors such as positive parenting (e.g. expressions of warmth and support) may buffer youth against the negative impacts of stress. We sought to determine whether positive parenting buffers against the negative impact of childhood stress on youth behavior and brain structure and to investigate differences between youth-reported parenting and caregiver-reported parenting. Cross-sectional behavioral and neuroimaging data were analyzed from 482 youth (39% female and 61% male, ages 10–17) who participated in an ongoing research initiative, the Healthy Brain Network (HBN). Regression models found that youth-reported positive parenting buffered against the association between childhood stress and youth behavioral problems (β = −0.10, P = 0.04) such that increased childhood stress was associated with increased youth behavior problems only for youth who did not experience high levels of positive parenting. We also found that youth-reported positive parenting buffered against the association between childhood stress and decreased hippocampal volumes (β = 0.07, P = 0.02) such that youth who experienced high levels of childhood stress and who reported increased levels of positive parenting did not exhibit smaller hippocampal volumes. Our work identifies positive parenting as a resilience factor buffering youth against the deleterious impact of stressful childhood experiences on problem behaviors and brain development. These findings underscore the importance of centering youth perspectives of stress and parenting practices to better understand neurobiology, mechanisms of resilience, and psychological well-being.
Experimental Investigation of Non-Normality of Thermoacoustic Interaction in an Electrically Heated Rijke Tube

An experimental investigation of the non-normal nature of thermoacoustic interactions in an electrically heated horizontal Rijke tube is performed. Since non-normality and the associated transient growth are linear phenomena, the experiments have to be confined to the linear regime. The bifurcation diagram for the subcritical Hopf bifurcation into a limit cycle behavior has been determined, after which the amplitude levels, for which the system acts linearly, have been identified for different power inputs to the heater. There are two main objectives for this experimental investigation. The first one deals with the extraction of the linear eigenmodes associated with the acoustic pressure from experimental data. This is accomplished by the Dynamic Mode Decomposition (DMD) technique applied in the linear regime. The non-orthogonality between the eigenmodes is determined for various values of heater power. The second objective is to identify evidence of transient perturbation growth in the system. The total acoustic energy in the duct has been monitored as the thermoacoustic system evolves from its initial condition. Transient growth, on the order of previous theoretical studies, has been found, and its parameteric dependence on amplitude ratio and phase angle of the initial eigenmode components has been determined. This study represents the first experimental confirmation of non-normality in thermoacoustic systems.
Intra‐ and interspecific variation in spectral properties of dominant Sphagnum moss species in boreal peatlands

Abstract Boreal peatlands store ~25 % of global soil organic carbon and host many endangered species; however, they face degradation due to climate change and anthropogenic drainage. In boreal peatlands, vegetation indicates ecohydrological conditions of the ecosystem. Applying remote sensing would enable spatially and temporally continuous monitoring of peatland vegetation. New multi‐ and hyperspectral satellite data offer promising approaches for understanding the spectral properties of peatland vegetation at high temporal and spectral resolutions. However, using spectral satellite data to their fullest potential requires detailed spectral analyses of dominant species in peatlands. A dominant feature of peatland vegetation is the genus Sphagnum mosses. We investigated how the reflectance spectra of common boreal Sphagnum mosses, collected from waterlogged natural conditions after snowmelt, change when the mosses are desiccated. We conducted a laboratory experiment where the reflectance spectra (350–2500 nm) and the mass of 90 moss samples (representing nine species) were measured repetitively. Furthermore, we examined (i) their inter‐ and intraspecific spectral differences and (ii) whether the species or their respective habitats could be identified based on their spectral signatures in varying states of drying. Our findings show that the most informative spectral regions to retrieve information about the Sphagnum species and their state of desiccation are in the shortwave infrared region. Furthermore, the visible and near‐infrared spectral regions contain less information on species and moisture content. Our results also indicate that hyperspectral data can, to a limited extent, be used to separate mosses belonging to meso‐ and ombrotrophic habitats. Overall, this study demonstrates the importance of including data especially from the shortwave infrared region (1100–2500 nm) in remote sensing applications of boreal peatlands. The spectral library of Sphagnum mosses collected in this study is available as open data and can be used to develop new methods for remote monitoring of boreal peatlands.
Reasons to not correct for leaching in TBI; Reply to Lind et al. (2022)

We believe that correcting for leaching in (terrestrial) litterbags studies such as the Tea Bag Index will result in more uncertainties than it resolves. This is mainly because leaching occurs in pulses upon changes in the environment and because leached material can still be mineralized after leaching. Furthermore, amount of material that potentially leaches from tea is comparable to other litter types. When correcting for leaching, it is key to be specific about the employed method, just like being specific about the study specific definition of decomposition.
Lactation in domestic carnivores

Lactation in dogs and cats received limited interest until recently, probably due to the absence of interest in carnivore milk and young growth for human nutrition. The robustness of knowledge available about lactation in these species is hindered by the limited number of publications, small number of dams involved, together with the obsolescence of the analytic methods used. Nevertheless, research on canine and feline colostrum was recently stimulated by the demonstration of the importance of passive immune transfer in neonatal survival (Chastant and Mila, 2019), because of an endothelial placenta, maternal immunoglobulins cannot reach the fetal bloodstream during pregnancy, making puppies and kittens totally dependent on colostrum ingestion for the acquisition of their immunity over the neonatal period. Interest in canine and feline lactation is also growing in line with recent data obtained in various species demonstrating the key role of neonatal and pediatric nutrition on the shortand long-term health of the individual (Vickers, 2014; Acevedo et al., 2021).
Artificial periodic irregularities in the high‐latitude ionosphere excited by the HAARP facility

We present results of the new observations of artificial periodic irregularities (APIs) in the ionosphere using the High Frequency Active Auroral Research Program (HAARP) heating facility carried out in late May and early June 2014.The objective of this work is to detect API using high‐latitude facility and analyze possible differences of the temporal and spatial variations of the API echoes in the high (HAARP) and middle (Sura) latitudes. Irregularities were created by the powerful wave of X mode and were sounded using the short probing pulses signals of X mode. API echoes were observed in the D, E, and F regions of the ionosphere. Amplitudes and characteristic times of the API echoes were measured. The API growth and decay times at HAARP (high latitudes) observed were similar to those at the Sura heating facility (midlatitudes).
Characteristic MR Imaging Features and Serial Changes in Adult-Onset Alexander Disease: A Case Report

Adult-onset Alexander Disease (AOAD) is a rare genetically determined leukoencephalopathy that presents with ataxia, spastic paraparesis, or brain stem signs including speech abnormalities, swallowing difficulties, and frequent vomiting. The diagnosis of AOAD is frequently proposed based on the findings on MRI. We demonstrate two cases (37-year-old female and 61-year-old female) with characteristic imaging findings and changes in follow-up MRI in patients with AOAD, which were confirmed via glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) mutation analysis. On MRI, the typical tadpole-like brainstem atrophy and periventricular white matter abnormalities were noted. The presumptive diagnoses were made based on the typical MRI appearances and, subsequently, confirmed via GFAP mutation analysis. Follow-up MRI demonstrated the progression of atrophy in the medulla and upper cervical spinal cord. Our report could help raise awareness of characteristic MRI findings of AOAD, thus helping clinicians use GFAP analysis for AOAD diagnosis confirmation.
AN EXPLORATION OF BALANCE AND SKILL IN THE JUMP SHOT

INTRODUCTION The jump shot is the primary offensive weapon in basketball, and accuracy is critical to success. In free throw shooting, accuracy has been associated with low horizontal mobility and high stability (Hudson, 1985). In jump shooting, low mobility is desirable for avoiding fouls, but high stability may be counterproductive to achieving a good jump. That is, a large, stable base of support is less effective for jumping than a smaller base on the balls of the feet. How do jump shooters resolve this apparent conflict between high stability for accuracy and low stability for good jumps? Opting for low stability may be problematic if, according to the generally inverse relationship between stability and mobility, it leads to high mobility. And any solution in the anteroposterior plane can be threatened by instability in the mediolateral plane. Given these complexities of choice in the components of balance, players of diverse abilities may adopt different strategies. The purpose of this study was to explore how advanced and intermediate performers regulate balance in the jump shot.
A Bundle of the Top 10 OPAT Publications in 2022

Abstract Outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy (OPAT) has become more common in clinical settings. Correspondingly, OPAT-related publications have also increased; the objective of this article was to summarize clinically meaningful OPAT-related publications in 2022. Seventy-five articles were initially identified, with 54 being scored. The top 20 OPAT articles published in 2022 were reviewed by a group of multidisciplinary OPAT clinicians. This article provides a summary of the “top 10” OPAT publications of 2022.
Colchicine attenuates the electrical remodeling of post-operative atrial fibrillation through inhibited expression of immune-related hub genes and stabilization of microtubules

Rationale: Acute inflammation is a major risk factor for post-operative atrial fibrillation (POAF), and epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) is considered as a source of inflammatory mediators. However, underlying mechanisms and pharmacological targets of POAF are poorly understood. Methods: Integrative analysis of array data from EAT and right atrial appendage (RAA) samples was conducted to identify potential hub genes. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated inflammatory models in mice and in induced pluripotent stem cell-derived atrial cardiomyocytes (iPSC-aCMs) were used to examine the exact mechanism underlying POAF. Electrophysiological analysis, multi-electrode array, and Ca2+ imaging was employed to explore the alterations of electrophysiology and Ca2+ homeostasis under inflammation. Flow cytometry analysis, histology and immunochemistry were performed to investigate immunological alterations. Results: We observed electrical remodeling, enhanced atrial fibrillation (AF) susceptibility, immune cell activation, inflammatory infiltration, and fibrosis in LPS-stimulated mice. LPS-stimulated iPSC-aCMs showed arrhythmias, abnormal Ca2+ signaling, reduced cell viability, disrupted microtubule network and increased α-tubulin degradation. VEGFA, EGFR, MMP9 and CCL2 were identified as hub genes simultaneously targeted in the EAT and RAA of POAF patients. Notably, treatment of colchicine in LPS-stimulated mice resulted in a U-shape dose-response curve, where greatly improved survival rates were observed only at doses between 0.10-0.40 mg/kg. At this therapeutic dose level, colchicine inhibited the expression of all the identified hub genes and effectively rescued the pathogenic phenotypes observed in LPS-stimulated mice and iPSC-aCM models. Conclusions: Acute inflammation promotes α-tubulin degradation, induces electrical remodeling, and both recruits and facilitates the infiltration of circulating myeloid cells. A certain dose of colchicine attenuates electrical remodeling and decreases the recurrence of AF.
ON THE STABILITY AND THE PERIODICITY PROPERTIES OF SOLUTIONS OF A CERTAIN THIRD ORDER NONLINEAR DIFFERENTIAL EQUATION

The object of this paper is to give sucient conditions for the existence of bounded solutions that are globally exponentially stable, pe- riodic and almost periodic, for a certain third-order non-linear dierential equation. A matrix inequality is obtained and proved to satisfy a general- ized frequency domain inequality of Yacubovich (10) through the frequency domain technique.
Reduced Chemistry Modeling and Sensitivity Analysis

This is a tutorial on reduced chemistry modeling and sensitivity analysis using computational singular perturbation, or CSP. After briefly presenting the underlying mathematics, the exposition focuses on how to use CSP data to neglect the non-participating elementary reactions in the reaction database, to trim the number of relevant reactants, and how to identify the so-called “CSP radicals” and the rate-controlling elementary reactions. An example is worked out using both the conventional methods and CSP. A succinct summary of sensitivity analysis is also given, showing in particular that the linearization assumption does not necessarily require the percentage perturbation of rate parameters to be small. It is also shown that most interesting sensitivity questions can be straightforwardly answered by interrogating the CSP data.
First-principles calculation of electronic structure of MgxZn1−xO codoped with aluminium and nitrogen

Aiming at developing p-type semiconductors and modulating the band gap for photoelectronic devices and band engineering, we present the ab initio numerical simulation of the effect of codoping ZnO with Al, N and Mg on the crystal lattice and electronic structure. The simulations are based on the Perdew—Burke—Ernzerhof generalised-gradient approximation in density functional theory. Results indicate that electrons close to the Fermi level transfer effectively when Al, Mg, and N replace Zn and O atoms, and the theoretical results were consistent with the experiments. The addition of Mg leads to the variation of crystal lattice, expanse of energy band, and change of band gap. These unusual properties are explained in terms of the computed electronic structure, and the results show promise for the development of next-generation photoconducting devices in optoelectronic information science and technology.
Uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery esophagectomy outcomes in 40 consecutive patients

Abstract OBJECTIVES Minimally invasive esophagectomy has improved over time becoming faster and less invasive. We have changed our technical approach from multiportal to uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) esophagectomy over the years. In this study, we analysed our results with uniportal VATS esophagectomy technique. METHODS This study was a retrospective analysis of 40 consecutive patients with the intent to perform uniportal VATS esophagectomy for esophageal cancer between July 2017 and August 2021. Demographic criteria, comorbidities, neoadjuvant therapy, intraoperative data, complications, length of stay, pathological data, 30- and 90-day mortality and 2-year survival data were recorded. RESULTS Forty patients (21 female) were operated (median age 62.9 [53.5–70.25]). Eighteen patients (45%) received neoadjuvant chemoradiation. The chest part of all cases was started with uniportal VATS and 31 (77.5%) was completed uniportally (34 Ivor Lewis, 6 McKeown). The median thoracic operation time in minimally invasive Ivor Lewis esophagectomy was 90 min (77.5–100). The median time for uniportal side-to-side anastomosis was 12 min (11–16). Five (12.5%) patients had leak, and 4 were intrathoracic. Twenty-eight (70%) patients had squamous cell carcinoma, 11 adenocarcinoma and 1 squamous cell carcinoma with sarcomatoid differentiation. Thirty-seven (92.5%) patients had R0 resection. The mean number of lymph nodes dissected was 24 ± 9.5. Thirty- and ninety-day mortality was 2.5% (n = 1). The mean follow-up was 44 ± 2.8 months. Two-year survival was 80%. CONCLUSIONS Uniportal VATS esophagectomy is a safe, fast and feasible alternative to other minimally invasive and open approaches. Comparable results to contemporary series are observed in perioperative and oncologic outcomes.