Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
On the Genesis of Divergence and Gravity Wave Emission from Oscillating Barotropic Vortices in Rotating Fluids

Internal gravity waves are ubiquitous in the atmosphere. Our understanding of gravity wave emission from atmospheric jet-front systems, such as the baroclinic vortices, has considerably improved over the past decade. Interestingly, even unstable barotropic jets are known to emit gravity waves. However, the wave generation mechanism in barotropic vortices is thought to be different than in baroclinic vortices. Yet, our current understanding of the wave generation mechanism fails to draw a clear distinction between the emission mechanisms in barotropic and baroclinic vortices; indicating that a deeper understanding of the wave generation is required than which is currently known. The present study focuses on gaining a better understanding of gravity wave generation mechanism from unstable barotropic jets. A more detailed study of the wave emission mechanism is performed compared to the earlier studies. New details about the wave forcing mechanism from unstable barotropic jets are identified, which provides a much clear picture of the wave emission mechanism from barotropic jets. The role of planetary vorticity in inhibiting gravity wave emission and its representation in the Ford-Lighthill formulation is elucidated. Gravity wave emission associated with vortex merging is also investigated. This study also provides important insight on the source and significance of divergence in fluid motions.
How nervous am I? How computer vision succeeds and humans fail in interpreting state anxiety from dynamic facial behaviour

ABSTRACT For human interaction, it is important to understand what emotional state others are in. Especially the observation of faces aids us in putting behaviours into context and gives insight into emotions and mental states of others. Detecting whether someone is nervous, a form of state anxiety, is such an example as it reveals a person’s familiarity and contentment with the circumstances. With recent developments in computer vision we developed behavioural nervousness models to show which time-varying facial cues reveal whether someone is nervous in an interview setting. The facial changes, reflecting a state of anxiety, led to more visual exposure and less chemosensory (taste and olfaction) exposure. However, experienced observers had difficulty picking up these changes and failed to detect nervousness levels accurately therewith. This study highlights humans’ limited capacity in determining complex emotional states but at the same time provides an automated model that can assist us in achieving fair assessments of so far unexplored emotional states.
Multiple brain regions are involved in reaction to acute restraint stress in CYLD-knockout mice

Abstract The lysine 63 deubiquitinase cylindromatosis (CYLD) is expressed at high levels in the brain and is considered to be involved in anxious and depressive behavior, cognitive inflexibility, and autism disorders. Previous research was limited in some brain regions, including the hippocampus, striatum, and amygdala. To better understand whether CYLD plays a role in adaptation to stress and which brain regions are involved, we analyzed the behavior of CYLD-knockout mice in the elevated plus maze (EPM) and light-dark box test (LDT) after acute restraint stress (ARS) and mapped their c-Fos immunoreactivity in brain sections. Here we report that CYLD deficiency leads to an unexpected reaction to ARS in mice, and is accompanied by significant neuronal activation of brain regions including the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), dorsal striatum (DS), nucleus accumbens (NAc), and basal lateral amygdala (BLA), but not ventral hippocampus (vHPC). Our findings show that CYLD participates in ARS-induced anxious behavior and that this involves multiple brain regions.
ChatGPT, GPT-4, and Other Large Language Models: The Next Revolution for Clinical Microbiology?

Abstract ChatGPT, GPT-4, and Bard are highly advanced natural language process–based computer programs (chatbots) that simulate and process human conversation in written or spoken form. Recently released by the company OpenAI, ChatGPT was trained on billions of unknown text elements (tokens) and rapidly gained wide attention for its ability to respond to questions in an articulate manner across a wide range of knowledge domains. These potentially disruptive large language model (LLM) technologies have a broad range of conceivable applications in medicine and medical microbiology. In this opinion article, I describe how chatbot technologies work and discuss the strengths and weaknesses of ChatGPT, GPT-4, and other LLMs for applications in the routine diagnostic laboratory, focusing on various use cases for the pre- to post-analytical process.
Photocatalytic degradation of xylene milling yellow dye with commercial Aeroxide® catalyst

ABSTRACT Water pollution by hazardous chemical and microbial contaminants is a serious concern, globally. Advanced oxidation technology, such as photocatalysis, has shown a great promise for removing these pollutants. TiO2 is widely used as a catalyst in photocatalytic degradation studies. The current work is focused on use of commercial Aeroxide® TiO2 catalyst for photocatalytic degradation of Xylene Milling Yellow dye. Effects of different parameters such as catalyst loading, initial dye concentration and temperature on the degradation was studied. The kinetics of degradation was studied using power law model. The degradation byproducts were analyzed on LCMS and possible degradation mechanism was developed.
Aeroelastic optimization of thin flapping structure

We study the flow generated when a handheld fan is waved. This fluid-structure interaction problem is investigated through precision experiments, using an oscillating semi-circular elastic plate as a reduced analog model. The aerodynamic performance of the fans is systematically characterized for a variety of geometric and material parameters, as well as the amplitude of the periodic driving. We demonstrate that the bending stiffness of the structure can be tuned to maximize the output of the generated airflow, while simultaneously minimizing the input power. A design guideline is established for this optimal conditions based on matching the driving and the natural frequencies of the plate. Closer to the handheld fans, we then consider a discrete analog model comprising an array of overlapping strips. Unlike homogeneous plates, these discrete designs deform passively into shapes with finite Gaussian curvature and further enhance the generated flow. Finally, we explored the effect of corrugation on the flapping plate and found that the fan employs the interesting mechanism of reversible buckling to simultaneously increase the velocity of the flow and reduce the load.
On the ladder heights of random walks attracted to stable laws of exponent 1

Let Z be the ﬁrst ladder height of a one dimensional random walk S n = X 1 + · · · + X n with i.i. d. increments X j which are in the domain of attraction of a stable law of exponent α , 0 < α ≤ 1 . We show that P [ Z > x ] is slowly varying at inﬁnity if and only if lim n →∞ n − 1 (cid:80) n 1 P [ S k > 0] = 0 . By a known result this provides a criterion for S T ( R ) /R P −→ ∞ as R → ∞ , where T ( R ) is the time when S n crosses over the level R for the ﬁrst time. The proof mostly concerns the case α = 1 .
Targeting the Spike Receptor Binding Domain Class V Cryptic Epitope by an Antibody with Pan-Sarbecovirus Activity

Characterization of MAbs against SARS-CoV-2, elicited through vaccination or natural infection, has provided vital immunotherapeutic options for curbing the COVID-19 pandemic and has supplied critical insights into SARS-CoV-2 escape, transmissibility, and mechanisms of viral inactivation. Neutralizing MAbs that target the RBD but do not block ACE2 binding are of particular interest because the epitopes are well conserved within sarbecoviruses and MAbs targeting this area demonstrate cross-reactivity. ABSTRACT Novel therapeutic monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) must accommodate comprehensive breadth of activity against diverse sarbecoviruses and high neutralization potency to overcome emerging variants. Here, we report the crystal structure of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) receptor binding domain (RBD) in complex with MAb WRAIR-2063, a moderate-potency neutralizing antibody with exceptional sarbecovirus breadth, that targets the highly conserved cryptic class V epitope. This epitope overlaps substantially with the spike protein N-terminal domain (NTD) -interacting region and is exposed only when the spike is in the open conformation, with one or more RBDs accessible. WRAIR-2063 binds the RBD of SARS-CoV-2 WA-1, all variants of concern (VoCs), and clade 1 to 4 sarbecoviruses with high affinity, demonstrating the conservation of this epitope and potential resiliency against variation. We compare structural features of additional class V antibodies with their reported neutralization capacity to further explore the utility of the class V epitope as a pan-sarbecovirus vaccine and therapeutic target. IMPORTANCE Characterization of MAbs against SARS-CoV-2, elicited through vaccination or natural infection, has provided vital immunotherapeutic options for curbing the COVID-19 pandemic and has supplied critical insights into SARS-CoV-2 escape, transmissibility, and mechanisms of viral inactivation. Neutralizing MAbs that target the RBD but do not block ACE2 binding are of particular interest because the epitopes are well conserved within sarbecoviruses and MAbs targeting this area demonstrate cross-reactivity. The class V RBD-targeted MAbs localize to an invariant site of vulnerability, provide a range of neutralization potency, and exhibit considerable breadth against divergent sarbecoviruses, with implications for vaccine and therapeutic development.
The Upscale Manufacture of Chondrocytes for Allogeneic Cartilage Therapies

Allogeneic chondrocyte therapies need to be developed to allow more individuals to be treated with a cell therapy for cartilage repair and to reduce the burden and cost of the current two-stage autologous procedures. Upscale manufacture of chondrocytes using a bioreactor could help provide an off-the-shelf allogeneic chondrocyte therapy with many doses being produced in a single manufacturing run. In this study, we assess a good manufacturing practice-compliant hollow-fiber bioreactor (Quantum®) for adult chondrocyte manufacture. Chondrocytes were isolated from knee arthroplasty-derived cartilage (n = 5) and expanded in media supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS) or 5% human platelet lysate (hPL) on tissue culture plastic (TCP) for a single passage. hPL-supplemented cultures were then expanded in the Quantum bioreactor for a further passage. Matched, parallel cultures in hPL or FBS were maintained on TCP. Chondrocytes from all culture conditions were characterized in terms of growth kinetics, morphology, immunoprofile, chondrogenic potential (chondrocyte pellet assays), and single telomere length analysis. Quantum expansion of chondrocytes resulted in 86.4 ± 38.5 × 106 cells in 8.4 ± 1.5 days, following seeding of 10.2 ± 3.6 × 106 cells. This related to 3.0 ± 1.0 population doublings in the Quantum bioreactor, compared with 2.1 ± 0.6 and 1.3 ± 1.0 on TCP in hPL- and FBS-supplemented media, respectively. Quantum- and TCP-expanded cultures retained equivalent chondropotency and mesenchymal stromal cell marker immunoprofiles, with only the integrin marker, CD49a, decreasing following Quantum expansion. Quantum-expanded chondrocytes demonstrated equivalent chondrogenic potential (as assessed by ability to form and maintain chondrogenic pellets) with matched hPL TCP populations. hPL manufacture, however, led to reduced chondrogenic potential and increased cell surface positivity of integrins CD49b, CD49c, and CD51/61 compared with FBS cultures. Quantum expansion of chondrocytes did not result in shortened 17p telomere length when compared with matched TCP cultures. This study demonstrates that large numbers of adult chondrocytes can be manufactured in the Quantum hollow-fiber bioreactor. This rapid, upscale expansion does not alter chondrocyte phenotype when compared with matched TCP expansion. Therefore, the Quantum provides an attractive method of manufacturing chondrocytes for clinical use. Media supplementation with hPL for chondrocyte expansion may, however, be unfavorable in terms of retaining chondrogenic capacity. Impact statement This is the first study, to our knowledge, to manufacture adult chondrocytes in a good manufacturing practice-compliant hollow-fiber bioreactor (Quantum®). We provide evidence that chondrocytes can be manufactured using this methodology while retaining comparable properties to chondrocytes expanded in matched tissue culture plastic conditions. Upscale Quantum® expansion may provide an appropriate method for developing allogeneic chondrocyte therapies.
How do women at increased risk of breast cancer make sense of their risk? An interpretative phenomenological analysis

Abstract Objectives Offering breast cancer risk prediction for all women of screening age is being considered globally. For women who have received a clinically derived estimate, risk appraisals are often inaccurate. This study aimed to gain an in‐depth understanding of women's lived experiences of receiving an increased breast cancer risk. Design One‐to‐one semi‐structured telephone interviews. Methods Eight women informed that they were at a 10‐year above‐average (moderate) or high risk in a breast cancer risk study (BC‐Predict) were interviewed about their views on breast cancer, personal breast cancer risk and risk prevention. Interviews lasted between 40 and 70 min. Data were analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Results Four themes were generated: (i) encounters with breast cancer and perceived personal significance, where the nature of women's lived experiences of others with breast cancer impacted their views on the significance of the disease, (ii) ‘It's random really’: difficulty in seeking causal attributions, where women encountered contradictions and confusion in attributing causes to breast cancer, (iii) believing versus identifying with a clinically‐derived breast cancer risk, where personal risk appraisals and expectations influenced women's ability to internalize their clinically derived risk and pursue preventative action and (iv) perceived utility of breast cancer risk notification, where women reflected on the usefulness of knowing their risk. Conclusions Providing (numerical) risk estimates appear to have little impact on stable yet internally contradictory beliefs about breast cancer risk. Given this, discussions with healthcare professionals are needed to help women form more accurate appraisals and make informed decisions.
Tissue-Specific Variation in Aquaporins and Cytokines Transcriptional Profiles in Piglets being LPS Challenged.

BACKGROUND Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), an effective stimulator of the immune system, has been widely applied in an experimental pig model for human sepsis. Aquaporins (AQPs), a family of small integral membrane proteins responsible for facilitating water fluxes through the cell membrane, offer potential promising drug targets for sepsis treatment due to their role in water balance and inflammation. METHODS In order to investigate the potential effect of a dietary amino acid mixture supplementation on LPS-challenged weaned piglets, a total of 30, 28-day-old, males were randomly allocated to 1 of 3 dietary treatments for a 5-week period, with 10 animals in each: diet 1 was a control (CTL) treatment; diet 2 was LPS treatment, where the piglets were intraperitoneally administered LPS (at 25 µg/kg body weight); diet 3 was LPS + cocktail treatment, where the piglets were intraperitoneally administered LPS and fed a diet supplemented with a mixture of arginine, branched-chain amino acids (BCAA, leucine, valine, and isoleucine), and cystine. Key organs that control sepsis were collected and processed by real time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) for the AQPs and cytokines transcriptional profiles. RESULTS Minor variations were detected for AQPs and inflammatory markers mRNA levels, upon the dependence of LPS or the amino acid cocktail suggesting the piglets' immune recovery. Using a discriminant analysis tool, we report for the first time, a tissue-specific variation in AQPs and cytokines transcriptional profiles that clearly distinguish the small intestine and the kidney from the liver and the spleen. CONCLUSIONS This study provides a novel insight into the gene expression signature of AQPs and cytokines in the functional physiology of each organ in piglets.
Relief Feature Selection and Parameter Optimization for Support Vector Machine based on Mixed Kernel Function

In order to improve the classification performance of Support Vector Machine (SVM), Relief feature selection algorithm was used to obtain the most relevant feature subset and remove redundant features. The mixed kernel function, which combined the global kernel function with the local kernel function, was proposed to strengthen the learning ability and generalization performance of SVM. In addition, the parameter optimization of SVM, which combined Genetic Algorithm (GA) with grid search, was performed to reduce computation time and find optimal solutions. Finally, the methods presented in this paper were used in the Heart disease data set and the Breast cancer data set in the UCI. Compared with KNN and BP neural network, the classification result of SVM model with Relief algorithm and mixed kernel function significantly outperformed the other comparable classification model and the experimental results demonstrate the validity of the proposed model.
Singularities of min time affine control systems

Affine control problems arise naturally from controlled mechanical systems. Building on previous results [2, 8], we go one step further and prove that the extremal flow given by Pontrjagin maximum principle can be stratified. We also study the regularity of this flow in terms of regular-singular transition and prove that, as in the nilpotent approximation, the singularity of time minimizing extremals is logarithmic. We finally give global bounds on the number of such singularities and apply our results to the control of two and three bodies in space mechanics.
Non-Perturbative aspects of Supersymmetric Gauge Theories with surface operators

In this thesis, we study gauge theories with N = 2 supersymmetry in four dimensions. The low energy effective action of these theories on their Coulomb branch is described by a holomorphic function called the prepotential. In the first half, we study linear conformal quiver theories with gauge group SU(2). These theories have an SU(2) gauge group at each node of the quiver, and matter arranged in the fundamental and the bi-fundamental representations, such that at each node the β-function vanishes. To compute the prepotential for these theories, we follow three different approaches. These are (i) the classic Seiberg-Witten approach, in which we consider an M-theory construction of the Seiberg-Witten curve and the associated differential, (ii) equivariant localization as developed by Nekrasov, and (iii) the 2d/4d correspondence of the four dimensional gauge theory with the two dimensional Liouville conformal field theory, as put forward by Alday, Gaiotto, and Tachikawa. Matching the prepotential, we find out the precise map between the various parameters that appear in the three descriptions. In the latter half of the thesis, we study surface operators in the context of N = 2 theories with gauge group SU(N). These theories describe the dynamics of a vector multiplet, and a massive hypermultiplet in the adjoint representation of the gauge group. Surface operators are non-local operators that have support on a two dimensional sub-manifold of the four dimensional spacetime. They are defined by the singularities they induce in the four-dimensional gauge fields, or can be characterized by the two-dimensional theory they support on their world-volume. The infrared dynamics on the world-volume of the two-dimensional surface operator is described by a holomorphic function called the twisted superpotential. Using localization techniques, we obtain the instanton partition function, and thereby the twisted
Long-lasting biofouling formation on transparent fouling-release coatings for the construction of efficient closed photobioreactors

Abstract In order to build an efficient closed-photobioreactor (PBR) in which biofouling formation is avoided, a non-toxic coating with high transparency is required, which can be applied to the interior surface of the PBR walls. Nowadays, amphiphilic copolymers are being used to inhibit microorganism adhesion, so poly(dimethylsiloxane)-based coatings mixed with poly(ethylene glycol)-based copolymers could be a good option. The 7 poly(dimethylsiloxane)-based coatings tested in this work contained 4% w/w of poly(ethylene glycol)-based copolymers. All were a good alternative to glass because they presented lower cell adhesion. However, the DBE-311 copolymer proved the best option due to its very low cell adhesion and high transmittance. Furthermore, XDLVO theory indicates that these coatings should have no cell adhesion at time 0 since they create a very high-energy barrier that microalgae cells cannot overcome. Nevertheless, this theory also shows that their surface properties change over time, making cell adhesion possible on all coatings after 8 months of immersion. The theory is useful in explaining the interaction forces between the surface and microalgae cells at any moment in time, but it should be complemented with models to predict the conditioning film formation and the contribution of the PBR’s fluid dynamics over time. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT
The Singularity Problem in Gravitational Theory. The Spherically Symmetric Case

In this work we discuss some specific features related to the concept of singularity in the gravitational theory. We give a brief review of some various definitions for singularity, then we explore some "negative" results, in the sense they are not able to reproduce, in general, a regular solution. We present some of these approaches, namely the non-commutative geometry; the Non Linear Electrodynamics; and the conformal approach. We later generalize these results into a no-go theorem, which is actually a fully original result. In the second part of this work, we discuss some working examples of regular solutions: we present three of them already present in literature (non-minimal Yang-Mills coupling, mimetic field approach and non-polynomial gravity), then we use such results to build up a model of a regular cosmological solution. Its generating mechanism and its main features are described, replacing the Big Bang with a bounce; the inflationary behavior at large time is also recovered. In the following two chapters, we present some different schemes to build regular solutions from the coupling between gravity and a scalar field. In particular, in chapter 7, we use a minimal coupling, while in chapter 8 we find some sufficient (though not necessary) conditions to build a regular solution, within the framework of the Horndeski theory. In both cases we are not able to find explicit results. In the ninth chapter we discuss a model of a regular black hole, coupling gravity with some fluid: in this case, an exact solution is found. We prove it is regular and we show some of its general features; we also discuss the time-dependent case, although we are only able to discuss its asymptotic behavior. We also discuss some of its problems, mainly due to instability. In the appendices we try to extend the no-go theorem to $F(R)$ theories and try to solve the instabilities of the fluid approach respectively.