Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Supplementary material to "Exploring the uncertainties in the aviation soot-cirrus effect"

Abstract. A global aerosol-climate model, including a two-moment cloud microphysical scheme and a parametrization for aerosol-induced ice formation in cirrus clouds, is applied in order to quantify the impact of aviation soot on natural cirrus clouds. Several sensitivity experiments are performed to assess the uncertainties in this effect related to (i) the assumptions on the ice nucleation abilities of aviation soot; (ii) the representation of vertical updrafts in the model; and (iii) the use of reanalysis data to relax the model dynamics (the so-called nudging technique). Based on the results of the model simulations, a radiative forcing from the aviation soot-cirrus effect in the range of −35 mW m−2 to 13 mW m−2 is quantified, depending on the assumed critical saturation ratio for ice nucleation and active fraction of aviation soot, but with a confidence level below 95 % in several cases. Simple idealized experiments with prescribed vertical velocities further show that the uncertainties on this aspect of the model dynamics are critical for the investigated effect and could potentially add a factor of about two of further uncertainty to the model estimates of the resulting radiative forcing. The use of the nudging technique to relax model dynamics is proved essential in order to identify a statistically significant signal from the model internal variability, while simulations performed in free-running mode and with prescribed sea-surface temperatures and sea-ice concentrations are shown to be unable to provide robust estimates of the investigated effect. A comparison with analogous model studies on the aviation-soot cirrus effect show a very large model diversity, with a conspicuous lack of consensus across the various estimates, which points to the need for more in-depth analyses on the roots of such discrepancies.
by Segmentation

Urban driving is a tough problem to solve, especially when training would be done in the real world. A solution would be to learn to drive in a realistic simulation using a student-teacher approach. If the learned student model is then transferred to the real world and performs weak, the simulation-real-world gap is too large and training should be done with simulation data that better represents the real-world data. In this thesis, we propose a variation on the work from “Learning by Cheat-ing” to use semantic segmentation data instead of bird’s-eye view data. The former closer resembles the perspective of drivers in real-world situations, narrowing the simulation-real-world gap. The semantic segmentation data should be suﬃcient enough to be able to learn a nearly perfect driving policy regarding lane following, obstacle avoidance, traﬃc lights and navigation. End-to-end conditional imitation learning is shown to be prone to distribution mismatches. Therefore, learning how to recover from a slight deviation is diﬃcult from a perfect expert. We have shown that the “Learning by Cheating” approach with semantic segmentation data instead of bird’s-eye views results in a robust agent that is able to solve most of the navigation challenges without dense traﬃc. Providing the supervised privileged agent with a semantic segmentation consisting of 13 classes is suﬃcient to learn the driving policy. The resulting policy is then robust enough to act as a teacher for a student agent. Our agent is validated on the original CARLA, CoRL2017 , and NoCrash benchmark. It successfully solves the Empty task of the CoRL2017 benchmark. On the other tasks and the more diﬃcult NoCrash benchmark, our agent yields competitive results to Chen, Zhou, et al. In addition, we improve the generalization performance to new environments in terms of the number of collisions by a factor 2 .
Structural Controllability of a Networked Dynamic System with LFT Parameterized Subsystems

This paper studies structural controllability for a networked dynamic system (NDS), in which each subsystem may have different dynamics, and unknown parameters may exist both in subsystem dynamics and in subsystem interconnections. In addition, subsystem parameters are parameterized by a linear fractional transformation (LFT). It is proven that controllability keeps to be a generic property for this kind of NDSs. Some necessary and sufficient conditions are then established respectively for them to be structurally controllable, to have a fixed uncontrollable mode, and to have a parameter dependent uncontrollable mode, under the condition that each subsystem interconnection link can take a weight independently. These conditions are scalable, and in their verifications, all arithmetic calculations are performed separately on each subsystem. In addition, these conditions also reveal influences on NDS controllability from subsystem input-output relations, subsystem uncontrollable modes and subsystem interconnection topology. Based on these observations, the problem of selecting the minimal number of subsystem interconnection links is studied under the requirement of constructing a structurally controllable NDS. A heuristic method is derived with some provable approximation bounds and a low computational complexity.
Investigating the Effects Perceived Value, Technology Adoption, the Level of Value Orientation, and Customer Satisfaction on Buyer Engagement of B2B Marketplace in Indonesia

This research aims to discover how perceived value and technology adoption influence customer satisfaction in e-marketplace B2B in Indonesia, how perceived value and technology adoption influence customer satisfaction moderated by level of value orientation in e-marketplace B2B in Indonesia, and how customer satisfaction influence buyer engagement in e-marketplace B2B in Indonesia. This research adopts a descriptive and verificative approach. Research methods used are descriptive survey and explanatory survey with the analysis units being e-marketplace B2B company providing service. The sampling technique utilizes proportional random samples, with a sample total of 245. The statistic and data analysis method uses the Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) with Partial Least Square (PLS). This research has found that 3 hypotheses of acceptance and 2 hypotheses of rejection. The acceptance hypothesis shows that perceived value has a positive influence upon customer satisfaction (Hypothesis 1), technology adoption has a positive influence upon customer satisfaction (Hypothesis 3), and customer satisfaction has a positive influence upon buyer engagement (Hypothesis 5). While Hypothesis 2 and 4 show that the level of value orientation cannot moderate perceived value and technology adoption towards customer satisfaction. This research has contributed theoretically and practically, especially regarding companies who provide e-marketplace B2B service in Indonesia, to comprehend how to elevate customer satisfaction. This research's limitation is the general sample and not specific to one type of B2B business. Future research is expected to carry out several developments, including the issue of sample and methodology.
Sea trout Salmo trutta in the subarctic: home-bound but large variation in migratory behaviour between and within populations.

Anadromous brown trout (sea trout), Salmo trutta, is currently in decline throughout its range, largely due to anthropogenic stressors in freshwater and marine habitats. Here, we studied the marine migration of sea trout post-smolts from three populations in a relatively pristine subarctic fjord system using acoustic telemetry. We documented that sea trout spent a substantial part of their time close to their natal river, preferred near shore over pelagic habitats, and were strongly surface oriented while at sea. Despite a fidelity towards local areas, the sea trout utilized various parts of the fjord system, with maximum dispersion > 30 km and total migration distance > 300 km. Almost half of the sea trout (44 %) migrated between river outlets, indicating that a metapopulation approach may be appropriate when managing neighbouring sea trout populations at high latitudes. Furthermore, the different populations displayed different migratory behaviour in terms of distance migrated, dispersion from origin, and the likelihood of leaving their home area. This variation in migratory behaviour is likely influenced by spatiotemporal differences in habitat quality between sites, indicating that local habitat variations may promote population specific behavioural responses even in relatively confined fjord systems. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
A novel receptor for platelet‐activating factor and lysophosphatidylcholine in Trypanosoma cruzi

The lipid mediators, platelet‐activating factor (PAF) and lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC), play relevant pathophysiological roles in Trypanosoma cruzi infection. Several species of LPC, including C18:1 LPC, which mimics the effects of PAF, are synthesized by T. cruzi. The present study identified a receptor in T. cruzi, which was predicted to bind to PAF, and found it to be homologous to members of the progestin and adiponectin family of receptors (PAQRs). We constructed a three‐dimensional model of the T. cruzi PAQR (TcPAQR) and performed molecular docking to predict the interactions of the TcPAQR model with C16:0 PAF and C18:1 LPC. We knocked out T. cruzi PAQR (TcPAQR) gene and confirmed the identity of the expressed protein through immunoblotting and immunofluorescence assays using an anti‐human PAQR antibody. Wild‐type and knockout (KO) parasites were also used to investigate the in vitro cell differentiation and interactions with peritoneal mouse macrophages; TcPAQR KO parasites were unable to react to C16:0 PAF or C18:1 LPC. Our data are highly suggestive that PAF and LPC act through TcPAQR in T. cruzi, triggering its cellular differentiation and ability to infect macrophages.
Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) decreases the benefit of anti-PD-1 immune checkpoint blockade in tumor immunotherapy

Immunotherapy using checkpoint blockade (ICB) with antibodies such as anti-PD-1 has revolutionised the treatment of many cancers. Despite its use to treat COVID-19 patients and autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis, the effect of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) on cancer immunotherapy has not been examined. In this study, remarkably, we find that HCQ alone, or in combination with azithromycin (AZ), at doses used to treat patients, decreased the therapeutic benefit of anti-PD-1 in cancer immunotherapy. No deleterious effect was seen on untreated tumors. Mechanistically, HCQ and HCQ/AZ inhibited PD-L1 expression on tumor cells, while specifically targeting the anti-PD-1 induced increase in progenitor CD8+CD44+PD-1+TCF1+ tumor infiltrating T cells (TILs) and the generation of CD8+CD44+PD-1+ effectors. Surprisingly, it also impaired the appearance of a subset of terminally exhausted CD8+ TILs. No effect was seen on the presence of CD4+ T cells, FoxP3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs), thymic subsets, B cells, antibody production, myeloid cells, or the vasculature of mice. This study indicates for the first time that HCQ and HCQ/AZ negatively impact the ability of anti-PD-1 checkpoint blockade to promote tumor rejection.
Intercellular and inter-organ crosstalk in browning of white adipose tissue: molecular mechanism and therapeutic complications

Abstract Adipose tissue (AT) is highly plastic and heterogeneous in response to environmental and nutritional changes. The development of heat-dissipating beige adipocytes in white AT (WAT) through a process known as browning (or beiging) has garnered much attention as a promising therapeutic strategy for obesity and its related metabolic complications. This is due to its inducibility in response to thermogenic stimulation and its association with improved metabolic health. WAT consists of adipocytes, nerves, vascular endothelial cells, various types of immune cells, adipocyte progenitor cells, and fibroblasts. These cells contribute to the formation of beige adipocytes through the release of protein factors that significantly influence browning capacity. In addition, inter-organ crosstalk is also important for beige adipocyte biogenesis. Here, we summarize recent findings on fat depot-specific differences, secretory factors participating in intercellular and inter-organ communications that regulate the recruitment of thermogenic beige adipocytes, as well as challenges in targeting beige adipocytes as a potential anti-obese therapy.
Long‐term monitoring of the development and extinction of IgA and IgG responses to SARS‐CoV‐2 infection

Despite the great interest of the scientific community in the behavior of the human body after contact with the new coronavirus severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2), long‐term (more than 6 months) monitoring of the immunological status of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) having varying severity degrees and of the people with a low SARS‐CoV‐2 viral load is practically absent. The aim of this study is a 9‐month monitoring of SARS‐CoV‐2 infection immune response development and extinction using quantitative assessment of IgA and IgG levels in the blood of healthy donors living in the context of the coronavirus pandemic and of the patients who have undergone COVID‐19. The project involved 180 volunteers, of whom 51 persons (28.33%) fell ill with COVID‐19 during the observation period. All people who underwent COVID‐19 developed a stable humoral immune response but their individual immune status had a number of features. Approximately 39.22% (20 of 51 people) of project participants diagnosed with COVID‐19 showed an unusual change in plasma anti‐SARS‐CoV‐2 IgA levels. Relatively high levels of IgA (ratio ~ 3) after recovery persisted for a long time (more than 6 months). In one‐third (17 of 51 people) of patients with COVID‐19, the IgA level exceeded the IgG level. IgA antibodies appeared earlier and showed a stronger and more robust response to the SARS‐CoV‐2 virus than IgG. Increased levels of anti‐SARS‐CoV‐2 IgA (ratio from 0.8 to 2.36) throughout the observation period were recorded in 28 of 180 project participants (15.56%) of whom only one person fell ill with COVID‐19.
Substantial Reduction in Adjuvant Chemotherapy With the Use of the 21-Gene Test to Manage Early Breast Cancer in a Public Hospital in Brazil

PURPOSE We evaluated the impact of 21-gene test results on treatment decisions for patients with early-stage breast cancer treated under the public health care system in Brazil, Sistema Único de Saúde. METHODS Eligible patients treated at Hospital Pérola Byington and Santa Casa de Misericórdia de São Paulo in Brazil were required to have the following characteristics: postsurgery with hormone receptor–positive, human epidermal growth factor 2–negative, node-negative and node-positive, and T1/T2 breast cancer and patients with these characteristics were candidates for adjuvant systemic therapy. Treatment recommendations, chemotherapy plus hormonal therapy (CT + HT) or HT alone, were captured before and after 21-gene test results. RESULTS From August 2018 to April 2019, 179 women were enrolled. The mean age was 58 years (29-86 years), 135 (76%) were postmenopausal, and 58 (32%) had node-positive breast cancer. Most patients (61%) had a tumor > 2 cm, including 7% with tumors > 4 cm. Using Recurrence Score (RS) result cut points on the basis of the TAILORx trial, 40 (22%) had RS 0-10, 91 (51%) had RS 11-25, and 48 (27%) had RS 26-100. Before 21-gene testing, 162 of 179 (91%) patients were recommended for CT. After testing, 117 of 179 patients (65%) had changes in CT recommendation: 112 (63%) who were initially recommended CT received HT alone and five (3%) who were initially recommended HT alone received CT + HT. After 21-gene testing, 99% of physicians reported strong confidence in their treatment recommendations. CONCLUSION The change in clinical practice at these public hospitals was greater than expected: 66% of initial treatment recommendations were changed to omit CT with 21-gene test results. Clinicopathologic features did not correlate well with 21-gene test results and did not adequately identify those most likely to benefit from CT.
Assessing Rape Myth Acceptance: A Contribution to Italian Validation of the Measure for Assessing Subtle Rape Myth (SRMA-IT)

The study aimed to validate the Italian version of the Measure for Assessing Subtle Rape Myths developed by McMahon and Farmer. A sample of 3,915 university students (70.8% female) completed the questionnaire. After an exploratory factor analysis, a confirmatory factor analysis tested the resulting four-factor structure of the Italian Subtle Rape Myth Acceptance (SRMA-IT) Scale (“She Asked for It”; “He Didn’t Mean To”; “It Wasn’t Really Rape”; and “She Lied”), consistent with McMahon and Farmer’s initial hypothesis. The Italian validation did not include items related to intoxication. Internal consistency of the subscales was good (α from .78 to .90). Convergent validity between all subscales and System Justification–Gender was detected: A strong relationship was observed (r is from .19 to .33; p < .001). The independent-sample T test then showed that women accepted all four rape myths significantly less than men: Effect size is more than moderate for the myth “She Asked for It” (Cohen’s d = .60) and between small and moderate for the other myths (d is from .35 to .42). Acceptance of rape myths is often associated with higher men’s proclivity to rape and with tendency to raped women’s double victimization (they can be not believed or blamed when they disclose the rape). Having a validated instrument to measure rape myth acceptance can enhance empirical research on this topic and help to develop interventions of prevention both for men in the society and for the first responders to disclosures, also sustaining a culture of respect and of contrast to violence.
The Cannabis Constituent Cannabigerol Does Not Disrupt Fear Memory Processes or Stress-Induced Anxiety in Mice.

Introduction: Medicinal cannabis has proliferated around the world and there is increasing interest in the therapeutic potential of individual plant-derived cannabinoids (phytocannabinoids). Preclinical evidence suggests the phytocannabinoid cannabigerol (CBG) could be useful in treating brain disorders, including stress and anxiety-related disorders. In this study, we aimed to explore whether CBG disrupts various contextually conditioned fear memory processes and trauma-induced anxiety-related behavior in a mouse model of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Materials and Methods: All mice underwent contextual fear conditioning. CBG was administered between 1 and 60 mg/kg intraperitoneally (i.p.). We first assessed the effects of repeated CBG exposure on long-term fear memories. We also examined whether acute CBG affected various fear memory processes, namely expression, acquisition, consolidation, and reconsolidation of conditioned fear. Finally, the effect of acute CBG administration on stress-induced anxiety in the light/dark test was assessed. Results: Repeated CBG exposure did not affect long-term conditioned fear that was observed 24 days after the conditioning session. Moreover, acute CBG administration did not influence the acquisition, consolidation, reconsolidation, or expression of contextually conditioned fear. Acute CBG treatment also did not affect stress-induced anxiety-related behaviors in the light/dark test. Conclusions: CBG was ineffective in disrupting long-term fear memories, various conditioned fear memory processes, or stress-induced anxiety-related behavior in mice. These preclinical data suggest CBG may have limited scope in the treatment of PTSD and stress-related anxiety.
Longitudinal Metabolic Profiling of Maternal Obesity, Gestational Diabetes, and Hypertensive Pregnancy Disorders

Abstract Context Comprehensive assessment of metabolism in maternal obesity and pregnancy disorders can provide information about the shared maternal-fetal milieu and give insight into both maternal long-term health and intergenerational transmission of disease burden. Objective To assess levels, profiles, and change in the levels of metabolic measures during pregnancies complicated by obesity, gestational diabetes (GDM), or hypertensive disorders. Design, Setting and Participants A secondary analysis of 2 study cohorts, PREDO and RADIEL, including 741 pregnant women. Main Outcome Measures We assessed 225 metabolic measures by nuclear magnetic resonance in blood samples collected at median 13 [interquartile range (IQR) 12.4-13.7], 20 (IQR 19.3-23.0), and 28 (27.0-35.0) weeks of gestation. Results Across all 3 time points women with obesity [body mass index (BMI) ≥ 30kg/m2] in comparison to normal weight (BMI 18.5-24.99 kg/m2) had significantly higher levels of most very-low-density lipoprotein-related measures, many fatty and most amino acids, and more adverse metabolic profiles. The change in the levels of most metabolic measures during pregnancy was smaller in obese than in normal weight women. GDM, preeclampsia, and chronic hypertension were associated with metabolic alterations similar to obesity. The associations of obesity held after adjustment for GDM and hypertensive disorders, but many of the associations with GDM and hypertensive disorders were rendered nonsignificant after adjustment for BMI and the other pregnancy disorders. Conclusions This study shows that the pregnancy-related metabolic change is smaller in women with obesity, who display metabolic perturbations already in early pregnancy. Metabolic alterations of obesity and pregnancy disorders resembled each other suggesting a shared metabolic origin.
Celastrol protects against early brain injury after subarachnoid hemorrhage in rats through alleviating blood-brain barrier disruption and blocking necroptosis

Background: Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is a life-threatening disease worldwide, and effective pharmaceutical treatment is still lacking. Celastrol is a plant-derived triterpene which showed neuroprotective potential in several types of brain insults. This study aimed to investigate the effects of celastrol on early brain injury (EBI) after SAH. Methods: A total of sixty-one male Sprague-Dawley rats were used in this study. Rat SAH endovascular perforation model was established to mimic the pathological changes of EBI after SAH. Multiple methods such as 3.0T MRI scanning, immunohistochemistry, western blotting and propidium iodide (PI) labeling were used to explore the therapeutic effects of celastrol on SAH. Results: Celastrol treatment attenuated SAH-caused brain swelling, reduced T2 lesion volume and ventricular volume in MRI scanning, and improved overall neurological score. Albumin leakage and the degradation of tight junction proteins were also ameliorated after celastrol administration. Celastrol protected blood-brain bairrer integrity through inhibiting MMP-9 expression and anti-neuroinflammatory effects. Additionally, necroptosis-related proteins RIP3 and MLKL were down-regulated and PI-positive cells in the basal cortex were less in the celastrol-treated SAH group than that in untreated SAH group. Conclusions: Celastrol exhibits neuroprotective effects on EBI after SAH and deserves to be further investigated as an add-on pharmaceutical therapy.