Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Pore Geometry of Carbonate Rocks as Revealed by Pore Casts and Capillary Pressure

The three-dimensional aspects of pores in a selected group of dolomites show that pore connections are commonly sheet-like rather than tubular and that prevailing geometric styles of pores and connections can be described from examination of resin casts of pores with a scanning-electron microscope. As dolomite crystals grow and porosity is reduced, polyhedral pores are transformed to tetrahedral pores and finally to interboundary-sheet pores. In this process of porosity reduction, pore structure becomes geometrically simpler and more regular and pore-size to throat-size ratios increase. Mercury-ejection efficiency can be defined as the total volume of mercury ejected from a sample on reducing pressure from 100 kg/sq cm to 0.1 kg/sq cm expressed as a percentage of the total volume of mercury injected over the same pressure range. Ejection efficiency decreases linearly with decrease in porosity and probably results mainly from decrease in the size of throats relative to the size of pores. Mercury-injection and ejection tests do not provide a close analogue for an oil-water system but may give a relative indication of the efficiency with which various rock types can expel a nonwetting phase when pressure is reduced. Because ejection efficiency correlates positively with porosity, it may be possible from porosity data to provide a factor that will indicate recovery efficiency, insofar as this is dependent on the pore geometry.
Tectonic evolution of the Selkirk fan, southeastern Canadian Cordillera: A composite Middle Jurassic–Cretaceous orogenic structure

The eastward transition from penetrative ductile deformation, metamorphism, and plutonism in the hinterland of the southern Canadian Cordillera to the “thin‐skinned” deformation of the foreland represents a significant change in tectonic style and process. The transition is also marked by a zone of structural divergence across which SW vergent hinterland structures pass into NE vergent foreland structures. The Selkirk fan within the Selkirk Mountains of the southern Canadian Cordillera is considered a type locality for this zone. This structure trends SE–NW for more than 120 km in greenschist to upper amphibolite facies rocks that have at least three generations of superposed deformation. The kinematic development of the Selkirk fan has been controversial, but its age generally has been inferred to be Middle to Late Jurassic. However, new U‐Th‐Pb dates obtained by ID‐TIMS and SHRIMP indicate a more protracted history. The data demonstrate that a protofan developed in the Middle Jurassic (172–167 Ma) and that the west flank of the fan was exhumed to upper crustal levels at this time. Conversely, the eastern flank was progressively buried to >25 km depth and pervasively overprinted by Cretaceous deformation (104–84 Ma) and Cretaceous‐Paleocene metamorphism (144–56 Ma). A new tectonic model is proposed to reconcile the composite nature and protracted development (>100 Ma) of the Selkirk fan within an orogenic system that evolved in response to periods of terrane accretion on the western margin of the North American craton.
Plutonismo del Ordovícico inferior en el sector norte de la sierra de Macón, provincia de Salta

Lower Ordovician plutonism in the northern part of Sierra de Macon, Salta province. In northern Sierra de Macon, in the western sector of the Puna, is a plutonic complex composed dominantly of granodiorites, which grade in composition to tonalites and granites. Toward the west and north of the range, mafic microgranular enclaves are common, as well as pseudo-dikes and pseudo-intrusive bodies of metavolcanic rocks, suggesting levels near to the roof of the magma chambers. K/Ar and Rb/Sr ages determined in the 1970´s gave an Upper Proterozoic age for the intrusion, whereas other authors considered it to be Ordovician, Silurian or Carboniferous, on the basis of regional correlations. In this study, an Ar/Ar hornblende age determined on one of the more primitive and fresh rocks, was 482.7 «7.8 Ma (Ordovician). On the basis of petrographical characteristics that indicate an epizonal location, this age is considered close to the age of the intrusion. The lithological association and geochemical data point to a volcanic calc-alkaline arc setting. Low-grade alteration (chloritic-sericitic) and structural deformation of the last crystallized minerals (potassic feldspar and quartz), present in all the studied samples, are interpreted as being associated with compressive stress related to the Ocloyic orogeny. These conclusions are at variance with the extensional anorogenic environment proposed by previous authors for the origin of these plutonic rocks.
Hairy cell leukemia 2018: Update on diagnosis, risk‐stratification, and treatment

Hairy cell leukemia (HCL) and HCL‐like disorders, including HCL variant (HCL‐V) and splenic diffuse red pulp lymphoma (SDRPL), are a very heterogeneous group of mature lymphoid B‐cell disorders, characterized by the identification of hairy cells, a specific genetic profile, a different clinical course and the need for appropriate treatment.
Pseudo-Synesthesia through Reading Books with Colored Letters

Background Synesthesia is a phenomenon where a stimulus produces consistent extraordinary subjective experiences. A relatively common type of synesthesia involves perception of color when viewing letters (e.g. the letter ‘a’ always appears as light blue). In this study, we examine whether traits typically regarded as markers of synesthesia can be acquired by simply reading in color. Methodology/Principal Findings Non-synesthetes were given specially prepared colored books to read. A modified Stroop task was administered before and after reading. A perceptual crowding task was administered after reading. Reading one book (>49,000 words) was sufficient to induce effects regarded as behavioral markers for synesthesia. The results of the Stroop tasks indicate that it is possible to learn letter-color associations through reading in color (F(1, 14) = 5.85, p = . 030). Furthermore, Stroop effects correlated with subjective reports about experiencing letters in color (r(13) = 0.51, p = . 05). The frequency of viewing letters is related to the level of association as seen by the difference in the Stroop effect size between upper- and lower-case letters (t(14) = 2.79, p = . 014) and in a subgroup of participants whose Stroop effects increased as they continued to read in color. Readers did not show significant performance advantages on the crowding task compared to controls. Acknowledging the many differences between trainees and synesthetes, results suggest that it may be possible to acquire a subset of synesthetic behavioral traits in adulthood through training. Conclusion/Significance To our knowledge, this is the first evidence of acquiring letter-color associations through reading in color. Reading in color appears to be a promising avenue in which we may explore the differences and similarities between synesthetes and non-synesthetes. Additionally, reading in color is a plausible method for a long-term ‘synesthetic’ training program.
Structural and functional analyses reveal promiscuous and species specific use of ephrin receptors by Cedar virus

Significance Nipah and Hendra viruses are pathogenic zoonotic henipaviruses, transmitted from wildlife to humans, and potential epidemic threats. Zoonoses from wildlife hosts to humans require overcoming barriers that limit cross-species transmission. Successful usage of virus entry receptors represents a bottleneck to zoonosis. Conserved ephrins are recognized entry receptors for henipaviruses like Nipah virus. Here, we characterize the ephrin entry receptor usage of Cedar virus (CedV), a related henipavirus with unknown zoonotic potential that is nonpathogenic in animals known to be susceptible to Nipah and Hendra disease. We discovered that CedV utilizes 4 different ephrins, 3 of which are unique receptors for CedV, and determined that a single natural amino acid difference between human and mouse ephrin-A1 can dictate functional receptor usage. Cedar virus (CedV) is a bat-borne henipavirus related to Nipah virus (NiV) and Hendra virus (HeV), zoonotic agents of fatal human disease. CedV receptor-binding protein (G) shares only ∼30% sequence identity with those of NiV and HeV, although they can all use ephrin-B2 as an entry receptor. We demonstrate that CedV also enters cells through additional B- and A-class ephrins (ephrin-B1, ephrin-A2, and ephrin-A5) and report the crystal structure of the CedV G ectodomain alone and in complex with ephrin-B1 or ephrin-B2. The CedV G receptor-binding site is structurally distinct from other henipaviruses, underlying its capability to accommodate additional ephrin receptors. We also show that CedV can enter cells through mouse ephrin-A1 but not human ephrin-A1, which differ by 1 residue in the key contact region. This is evidence of species specific ephrin receptor usage by a henipavirus, and implicates additional ephrin receptors in potential zoonotic transmission.
Multivariate Meta-Analysis of Preference-Based Quality of Life Values in Coronary Heart Disease

Background There are numerous health-related quality of life (HRQol) measurements used in coronary heart disease (CHD) in the literature. However, only values assessed with preference-based instruments can be directly applied in a cost-utility analysis (CUA). Objective To summarize and synthesize instrument-specific preference-based values in CHD and the underlying disease-subgroups, stable angina and post-acute coronary syndrome (post-ACS), for developed countries, while accounting for study-level characteristics, and within- and between-study correlation. Methods A systematic review was conducted to identify studies reporting preference-based values in CHD. A multivariate meta-analysis was applied to synthesize the HRQoL values. Meta-regression analyses examined the effect of study level covariates age, publication year, prevalence of diabetes and gender. Results A total of 40 studies providing preference-based values were detected. Synthesized estimates of HRQoL in post-ACS ranged from 0.64 (Quality of Well-Being) to 0.92 (EuroQol European”tariff”), while in stable angina they ranged from 0.64 (Short form 6D) to 0.89 (Standard Gamble). Similar findings were observed in estimates applying to general CHD. No significant improvement in model fit was found after adjusting for study-level covariates. Large between-study heterogeneity was observed in all the models investigated. Conclusions The main finding of our study is the presence of large heterogeneity both within and between instrument-specific HRQoL values. Current economic models in CHD ignore this between-study heterogeneity. Multivariate meta-analysis can quantify this heterogeneity and offers the means for uncertainty around HRQoL values to be translated to uncertainty in CUAs.
Toward Scalable, Efficient, and Accurate Deep Spiking Neural Networks With Backward Residual Connections, Stochastic Softmax, and Hybridization

Spiking Neural Networks (SNNs) may offer an energy-efficient alternative for implementing deep learning applications. In recent years, there have been several proposals focused on supervised (conversion, spike-based gradient descent) and unsupervised (spike timing dependent plasticity) training methods to improve the accuracy of SNNs on large-scale tasks. However, each of these methods suffer from scalability, latency, and accuracy limitations. In this paper, we propose novel algorithmic techniques of modifying the SNN configuration with backward residual connections, stochastic softmax, and hybrid artificial-and-spiking neuronal activations to improve the learning ability of the training methodologies to yield competitive accuracy, while, yielding large efficiency gains over their artificial counterparts. Note, artificial counterparts refer to conventional deep learning/artificial neural networks. Our techniques apply to VGG/Residual architectures, and are compatible with all forms of training methodologies. Our analysis reveals that the proposed solutions yield near state-of-the-art accuracy with significant energy-efficiency and reduced parameter overhead translating to hardware improvements on complex visual recognition tasks, such as, CIFAR10, Imagenet datatsets.
Relation between Pressure Balance Structures and polar plumes from Ulysses high latitude observations

Ulysses observations have shown that pressure balance structures (PBSs) are a common feature in high‐latitude, fast solar wind near solar minimum. Previous studies of Ulysses/SWOOPS plasma data suggest these PBSs may be remnants of coronal polar plumes. Here we find support for this suggestion in an analysis of PBS magnetic structure. We used Ulysses magnetometer data and applied a minimum variance analysis to magnetic discontinuities in PBSs. We found that PBSs preferentially contain tangential discontinuities, as opposed to rotational discontinuities and to non‐PBS regions in the solar wind. This suggests that PBSs contain structures like current sheets or plasmoids that may be associated with network activity at the base of plumes.
Prevalence of HIV among those 15 and older in rural South Africa

A greater knowledge of the burden of HIV in rural areas of Southern Africa is needed, especially among older adults. We conducted a cross-sectional biomarker survey in the rural South African Agincourt Health and Socio-demographic Surveillance site in 2010–2011 and estimated HIV prevalence and risk factors. Using an age–sex stratified random sample of ages 15+, a total of 5037 (65.7%) of a possible 7662 individuals were located and 4362 (86.6%) consented to HIV testing. HIV prevalence was high (19.4%) and characterized by a large gender gap (10.6% for men and 23.9% for women). Rates peaked at 45.3% among men and 46.1% among women – both at ages 35–39. Compared with a similar study in the rural KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa, peak prevalence occurred at later ages, and HIV prevalence was higher among older adults – with rates above 15% for men and 10% for women through to age 70. High prevalence continues to characterize Southern Africa, and recent evidence confirms that older adults cannot be excluded from policy considerations. The high prevalence among older adults suggests likely HIV infection at older ages. Prevention activities need to expand to older adults to reduce new infections. Treatment will be complicated by increased risk of noncommunicable diseases and by increasing numbers of older people living with HIV.
Accounting for magnetic diffusion in core flow inversions from geomagnetic secular variation

SUMMARY We use numerical dynamos to investigate the possible role of magnetic diffusion at the top of the core. We find that the contribution of radial magnetic diffusion to the secular variation is correlated with that of tangential magnetic diffusion for a wide range of control parameters. The correlation between the two diffusive terms is interpreted in terms of the variation in the strength of poloidal flow along a columnar flow tube. The amplitude ratio of the two diffusive terms is used to estimate the probable contribution of radial magnetic diffusion to the secular variation at Earth-like conditions. We then apply a model where radial magnetic diffusion is proportional to tangential diffusion to core flow inversions of geomagnetic secular variation data. We find that including magnetic diffusion does not change dramatically the global flow but some significant local variations appear. In the non frozen-flux core flow models (termed ‘diffusive’), the hemispherical dichotomy between the active Atlantic and quiet Pacific is weaker, a cyclonic vortex below North America emerges and the vortex below Asia is stronger. Our results have several important geophysical implications. First, our diffusive flow models contain some flow activity at low latitudes in the Pacific, suggesting a local balance between magnetic field advection and diffusion in that region. Second, the cyclone below North America in our diffusive flows reconciles the difference between mantle-driven thermal wind predictions and frozen-flux core flow models, and is consistent with the prominent intense magnetic flux patch below North America in geomagnetic field models. Finally, we hypothesize that magnetic diffusion near the core surface plays a larger role in the geomagnetic secular variation than usually assumed.
Elevated risk of infection with SARS-CoV-2 Beta, Gamma, and Delta variant compared to Alpha variant in vaccinated individuals

The extent to which severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants of concern (VOCs) break through infection- or vaccine-induced immunity is not well understood. We analyzed 28,578 sequenced SARS-CoV-2 samples from individuals with known immune status obtained through national community testing in the Netherlands from March to August 2021. We found evidence of an increased risk of infection by the Beta (B.1.351), Gamma (P.1), or Delta (B.1.617.2) variants compared with the Alpha (B.1.1.7) variant after vaccination. No clear differences were found between vaccines. However, the effect was larger in the first 14 to 59 days after complete vaccination compared with ≥60 days. In contrast to vaccine-induced immunity, there was no increased risk for reinfection with Beta, Gamma, or Delta variants relative to the Alpha variant in individuals with infection-induced immunity. Description SARS-CoV-2 genomic epidemiology shows increased breakthrough, but not reinfection rates, by the Beta, Gamma, or Delta variants compared with Alpha. Variants and vaccines The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants has revealed that breakthrough infections can occur despite previous immunity caused by infection or vaccination. Andeweg et al. used SARS-CoV-2 sequence data collected during March to August 2021 through the national community testing program in the Netherlands to understand the relationship between immune status and breakthrough infection. They analyzed 28,578 samples and observed an increased risk of infection by the Beta (B.1.351), Gamma (P.1), or Delta (B.1.617.2) variants compared with the Alpha (B.1.1.7) variant after vaccination regardless of vaccine type. The risk of breakthrough infection with variants Beta, Gamma, or Delta was greatest 14 to 59 days after vaccination compared with >60 days, but no differences between variants were observed in unvaccinated individuals who had been previously infected with SARS-CoV-2. These findings highlight the effect viral variants have on vaccine efficacy. —CF
Sediment Thicknesses and Holocene Glacial Marine Sedimentation Rates in Three East Greenland Fjords (ca. 68°N)

We compared measured and estimated sediment budgets in heavily glaciated fjords in East Greenland. Mass balance calculations and regional glacio-climatic conditions suggest that the sediment flux to the seafloor in Kangerdlugssuaq and Nansen fjords should be dominated by iceberg rafting and not by the rain-out of suspended particulates in meltwater, as the glacier calving flux is estimated at 15 and $$2 km^{3}/yr$$, compared to meltwater volumes of 4.4 and $$1.7 km^{3}/yr$$, respectively. Gravity cores in the three fjords indicate that the uppermost 1-2.5 m of sediment consists of diamictons or fine-grained laminated muds. AMS radiocarbon dates on calcareous foramininfera or shells (16 total) indicate sedimentation rates of 110 to 340 cm/ka within the fjords over the last 1 ka, and 10-20 cm/ka during the Holecene on the inner and middle shelf. Annual sediment discharge is around $$0.67 \times 10^{6}$$ tonnes/yr within the Kangerdlugssuaq Fjord and Trough system, which translates into an average basin-wide rate of denudation of 0.01 mm/yr (0.01 m/ka). Air gun and deep-towed (Huntec) seismic profiling was carried out in Kangerdlugssuaq and Nansen fjords, East Greenland, and showed that sediment fills averaged 500 and 350 m respectively; they consist primarily of acoustically stratified sediments. If the sediment fills are entirely Holocene in age then the required average sediment accumulation rates of 35-50 m/ka are an order of magnitude larger than the $$^{14}C $$controlled rates of the last 1-2 ka. This raises the possibility that fjord sediments may be by-passed and not always recycled during glacial advances; this will affect sedimentation rates on adjacent shelves and deep-sea areas during successive glaciations.
Practical Liposomal Formulation for Taxanes with Polyethoxylated Castor Oil and Ethanol with Complete Encapsulation Efficiency and High Loading Efficiency

Taxanes including paclitaxel and docetaxel are effective anticancer agents preferably sufficient for liposomal drug delivery. However, the encapsulation of these drugs with effective amounts into conventional liposomes is difficult due to their high hydrophobicity. Therefore, an effective encapsulation strategy for liposomal taxanes has been eagerly anticipated. In this study, the mixture of polyethoxylated castor oil (Cremophor EL) and ethanol containing phosphate buffered saline termed as CEP was employed as a solvent of the inner hydrophilic core of liposomes where taxanes should be incorporated. Docetaxel-, paclitaxel-, or 7-oxacetylglycosylated paclitaxel-encapsulating liposomes were successfully prepared with almost 100% of encapsulation efficiency and 29.9, 15.4, or 29.1 mol% of loading efficiency, respectively. We then applied the docetaxel-encapsulating liposomes for targeted drug delivery. Docetaxel-encapsulating liposomes were successfully developed HER2-targeted drug delivery by coupling HER2-specific binding peptide on liposome surface. The HER2-targeting liposomes exhibited HER2-specific internalization and enhanced anticancer activity in vitro. Therefore, we propose the sophisticated preparation of liposomal taxanes using CEP as a promising formulation for effective cancer therapies.
Association of homogeneous inflamed gene signature with a better outcome in patients with metastatic melanoma treated with MAGE-A3 immunotherapeutic

Purpose This study assessed clinical activity, safety and immunogenicity of MAGE-A3 immunotherapeutic in patients with MAGE-A3-positive metastatic melanoma. Patients and methods In this open-label, multicentre, uncontrolled, Phase II study (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00896480),patients received ≤24 doses of MAGE-A3 immunotherapeutic (4-cycle schedule). At screening, two skin lesions were biopsied for MAGE-A3 expression analysis and presence/absence of a previously identified gene signature (GS) associated with favourable clinical outcome. Clinical activity was assessed in terms of clinical response, time-to-treatment failure (TTF) and progression-free survival (PFS). Adverse events (AEs) and serious AEs (SAEs) were recorded. MAGE-A3-specific immune responses were assessed. Clinical activity and immunogenicity were analysed overall and separately in patients with 2/2 (GS+/+), 1/2 (GS+/-) or 0/2 (GS-/-) biopsies presenting GS. Results Of 49 screened patients, 32 had MAGE-A3-positive tumours; 24 (8 GS+/+, 8 GS+/-, 8 GS-/-) were treated. Two complete (GS+/+ patients) and two partial responses (one GS+/+, one GS+/-) were reported; of note, one of the two complete responses was unlikely to be related to the study treatment. Median TTF and PFS were 14.8 and 7.2 months for GS+/+, 2.3 and 2.8 months for GS+/- and 2.4 and 2.9 months for GS-/- patients. Three grade 3 AEs and two SAEs unrelated to treatment were reported. All patients were seropositive for MAGE-A3 antibodies on vaccination with no differences between the different GS profiles. MAGE-A3-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cell immunogenicity was detected; 12/16 (75.0%) of patients presented CD4+ T cell responses. Conclusion Treatment with MAGE-A3 immunotherapeutic showed signs of clinical activity in GS+/+ patients. Treatment was well tolerated and immunogenic. No differences in immune responses according to GS status were observed. Trial registration number NCT00896480 (Results).