Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Emergence of Nonzonal Coherent Structures

Planetary turbulence is observed to self-organize into large-scale structures such as zonal jets and coherent vortices. One of the simplest models that retains the relevant dynamics of turbulent self-organization is a barotropic flow in a beta-plane channel with turbulence sustained by random stirring. Non-linear integrations of this model show that as the energy input rate of the forcing is increased, the homogeneity of the flow is first broken by the emergence of non-zonal, coherent, westward propagating structures and at larger energy input rates by the emergence of zonal jets. The emergence of both non-zonal coherent structures and zonal jets is studied using a statistical theory, Stochastic Structural Stability Theory (S3T). S3T directly models a second-order approximation to the statistical mean turbulent state and allows the identification of statistical turbulent equilibria and study of their stability. Using S3T, the bifurcation properties of the homogeneous state in barotropic beta-plane turbulence are determined. Analytic expressions for the zonal and non-zonal large-scale coherent flows that emerge as a result of structural instability are obtained and the equilibration of the incipient instabilities is studied through numerical integrations of the S3T dynamical system. The dynamics underlying the formation of zonal jets are also investigated. It is shown that zonal jets form from the upgradient momentum fluxes that result from the shearing of the eddies by the emerging infinitesimal large-scale flow. Finally, numerical simulations of the nonlinear equations confirm the characteristics (scale, amplitude and phase speed) of the structures predicted by S3T, even in highly non-linear parameter regimes such as the regime of zonostrophic turbulence.
Current development of cabazitaxel drug delivery systems.

The second-generation taxane cabazitaxel has been clinically approved for the treatment of metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer after docetaxel failure. Compared with the first-generation taxanes paclitaxel and docetaxel, cabazitaxel has potent anticancer activity and is less prone to drug resistance due to its lower affinity for the P-gp efflux pump. The relatively high hydrophobicity of cabazitaxel and the poor aqueous colloidal stability of the commercial formulation, following its preparation for injection, presents opportunities for new cabazitaxel formulations with improved features. This review provides an overview of cabazitaxel drug formulations and hydrophobic taxane drug delivery systems in general, and particularly focuses on emerging cabazitaxel delivery systems discovered in the past 5 years. This article is categorized under: Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Nanomedicine for Oncologic Disease Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Emerging Technologies.
A nomogram predicts cardiovascular events in patients with peritoneal dialysis-associated peritonitis

Abstract Objective To predict the risk factors for cardiovascular events within 5 years in patients with peritoneal dialysis-associated peritonitis and establish a nomogram for clinical prediction. Methods A prediction model was established by conducting an observational study in 150 patients with peritoneal dialysis-associated peritonitis obtained from the Information Database of AnHui Medical University Affiliated Hospital. The nomogram was constructed using the multivariate COX regression model. The C-index and the calibration plot were used to assess the discrimination and calibration of the prediction model. Results The elderly [HR = 2.453 (1.071–5.619)], history of cardiovascular events [HR = 2.296 (1.220–4.321)], alkaline phosphatase [HR = 1.004 (1.002–1.005)] and culture-positive [HR= 2.173 (1.009–4.682)] were identified as risk predictors of cardiovascular events, while serum albumin [HR = 0.396(0.170–0.924)] was identified as protective predictors of cardiovascular events. Combined with clinical studies, we constructed a nomogram based on the minimum value of the Akaike Information Criterion or Bayesian Information Criterion. The C index of the nomogram is 0.732, revealing great discrimination and appropriate calibration. Through the total score of the nomogram and the result of ROC, we classify patients into high-risk groups (cardiovascular events group) and low-risk groups (no cardiovascular events group). Cardiovascular events were significantly different for patients in the high-risk group compared to the low-risk group (HR = 3.862(2.202–6.772; p < 0.001). Conclusions The current novel nomogram can accurately predict cardiovascular events in patients with peritonitis associated with peritoneal dialysis. However, external validation is required before the model can be used in clinic settings.
Transcranial magnetic stimulation over posterior parietal cortex modulates alerting and executive control processes in attention

Attention includes three different functional components: generating and maintaining an alert state (alerting), orienting to sensory events (orienting), and resolving conflicts between alternative actions (executive control). Neuroimaging and patient studies suggest that the posterior parietal cortex (PPC) is involved in all three attention components. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) has repeatedly been applied over the PPC to study its functional role for shifts and maintenance of visuospatial attention. Most TMS‐PPC studies used only detection tasks or orienting paradigms to investigate TMS‐PPC effects on attention processes, neglecting the alerting and executive control components of attention. The objective of the present study was to investigate the role of PPC in all three functional components of attention: alerting, orienting, and executive control. To this end, we disrupted PPC with TMS (continuous theta‐burst stimulation), to modulate subsequent performance on the Lateralized‐Attention Network Test, used to assess the three attention components separately. Our results revealed hemifield‐specific effects on alerting and executive control functions, but we did not find stimulation effects on orienting performance. While this field of research and associated clinical development have been predominantly focused on orienting performance, our results suggest that parietal cortex and its modulation may affect other aspects of attention as well.
Cell‐based experimental strategies for myelin repair in multiple sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune demyelinating disorder of the central nervous system (CNS), diagnosed at a mean age of 32 years. CNS glia are crucial players in the onset of MS, primarily involving astrocytes and microglia that can cause/allow massive oligodendroglial cells death, without immune cell infiltration. Current therapeutic approaches are aimed at modulating inflammatory reactions during relapsing episodes, but lack the ability to induce very significant repair mechanisms. In this review article, different experimental approaches based mainly on the application of different cell types as therapeutic strategies applied for the induction of myelin repair and/or the amelioration of the disease are discussed. Regarding this issue, different cell sources were applied in various experimental models of MS, with different results, both in significant improvements in remyelination and the reduction of neuroinflammation and glial activation, or in neuroprotection. All cell types tested have advantages and disadvantages, which makes it difficult to choose a better option for therapeutic application in MS. New strategies combining cell‐based treatment with other applications would result in further improvements and would be good candidates for MS cell therapy and myelin repair.
CN jets of Comet P/Halley: Rotational properties

An analysis of CCD images of CN jets of comet P/Halley observed during April 16 to 29 1986 is discussed. The analysis questions the 53 hr rotation period and favors a rotational period of 7.37 days, as suggested by Millis and Schleicher (1986). It is shown that a change in rotation period, at least from one apparition to the next, is also possible. A lower limit for the ejection velocity of dust grains (which emit CN) in the jet is established to be 0.5 km/sec with an uncertainty of 50%. The constraints on the direction of the rotation axis as inferred from the geometry of the jets are considered.
Teaching statistics: making it memorable

How often do teaching and learning statistics at university seem to be actives directed primarily to students' passing assessments and gaining paper credentials. This tends to be the case especially in service courses, where, indeed, the vast majority of statistics students are found. Once such an orientation becomes entrenched, longer term objectives may be regarded by teachers or students (or both) as unattainable.
Prognosis and Treatment of Metastatic Breast Cancer From A Real-World Scenario in China: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Objectives Although metastatic breast cancer (MBC) is considered incurable, a specific subset of patients exhibits prolonged survival and even achieve a “cure”. We retrospectively identified predictive prognostic factors and systemic therapy models to find this group of potentially cured patients. Methods Consecutive patients diagnosed with MBC from 1991-2016 in West China Hospital were included. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to assess the association of clinical factors and systemic therapy models with overall survival (OS), breast cancer-specific survival (BCSS) and progression-free survival (PFS). Results The median OS was 63.4 months. Age, tumor size, lymph node metastasis, histologic grade, molecular subtype, site and number of metastases and metastasis-free interval (MFI) were related to the prognosis of MBC (P < .05). Patients with T1, N0-1, luminal A, bone metastasis, OMBC (oligometastatic breast cancer) or metastasis-free interval (MFI) ≥ 3 years showed the median OS more than 10 years (P < .001). Independent prognostic factors that correlated with OS and BCSS were residence, lymph node metastasis, histologic grade, molecular subtype, and site of metastasis (P < .05). The group of sequential chemo-endocrine therapy (ST) in hormone receptor (HR)-positive MBC patients showed the highest overall response rate (ORR) (P < .05). However, patients who received endocrine therapy (ET) showed the best OS, BCSS and PFS in the first two-line treatment, followed by ST and chemotherapy (CT) (P < .05). Conclusions Our study shows the predictive prognostic factors and systemic therapy models to facilitate patients likely to achieve long-term survival.
A Multilevel Synchronized Optical Pulsed Modulation for High Efficiency Biotelemetry

The paper describes the design, implementation, and characterization of a novel multilevel synchronized pulse position modulation paradigm for high efficiency optical biotelemetry links. The entire optoelectronic architecture has been designed with the aim to improve the efficiency of the data transmission and decrease the overall power consumption that are key factors for the fabrication of implantable and wearable medical devices. By employing specially designed digital architectures, the proposed modulation technique automatically transmits more than one bit per symbol together with the reference clock signal enabling the decoding process of the received coded data. In the present case, the paper demonstrates the capability of the modulation technique to transmit symbols composed by 3 and 4 bits. This has been achieved by developing a prototype of an optical biotelemetry system implemented on an FPGA board that, making use of 500 ps laser pulses, operates under the following two working conditions: (i) 40 MHz clock signal corresponding to a baud rate of 40 Mega symbol per second for symbols composed by 3 bits; (ii) 30 MHz clock signal corresponding to a baud rate of 30 Mega symbol per second for symbols composed by 4 bits. Thus, for both these two configurations the transmission data rate is 120 Mbps and the measured BER was lower than 10–10. Finally, the power consumption was found to be 1.95 and 1.8 mW and the resulting energy efficiencies were 16.25 and 15 pJ/bit for transmitted symbols composed by 3 and 4 bits/symbol, respectively.
INCIDENCE, RISK FACTORS, AND OUTCOME OF SUSPECTED CENTRAL VENOUS CATHETER-RELATED INFECTIONS IN CRITICALLY ILL COVID-19 PATIENTS: A MULTICENTER RETROSPECTIVE COHORT STUDY

ABSTRACT Background: Aims of this study were to investigate the prevalence and incidence of catheter-related infection, identify risk factors, and determine the relation of catheter-related infection with mortality in critically ill COVID-19 patients. Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study of central venous catheters (CVCs) in critically ill COVID-19 patients. Eligible CVC insertions required an indwelling time of at least 48 hours and were identified using a full-admission electronic health record database. Risk factors were identified using logistic regression. Differences in survival rates at day 28 of follow-up were assessed using a log-rank test and proportional hazard model. Results: In 538 patients, a total of 914 CVCs were included. Prevalence and incidence of suspected catheter-related infection were 7.9% and 9.4 infections per 1,000 catheter indwelling days, respectively. Prone ventilation for more than 5 days was associated with increased risk of suspected catheter-related infection; odds ratio, 5.05 (95% confidence interval 2.12–11.0). Risk of death was significantly higher in patients with suspected catheter-related infection (hazard ratio, 1.78; 95% confidence interval, 1.25–2.53). Conclusions: This study shows that in critically ill patients with COVID-19, prevalence and incidence of suspected catheter-related infection are high, prone ventilation is a risk factor, and mortality is higher in case of catheter-related infection.
Eigenvectors of Permutation Matrices

The spectral properties of special matrices have been widely studied, because of their applications. We focus on permutation matrices over a finite field and, more concretely, we compute the minimal annihilating polynomial, and a set of linearly independent eigenvectors from the decomposition in disjoint cycles of the permutation naturally associated to the matrix.
Changing patterns of genetic differentiation in the slender wild oat, Avena barbata

Significance Studying contemporary evolution requires us to distinguish between genotype frequency changes and plastic responses. By revisiting a “classic” case study in ecological genetics (Avena barbata in California), we document contemporary evolution at the genetic level over a large geographic scale. Changes in frequency and range of the genotypes were as predicted by fitness differences in reciprocal transplants. Moreover, A. barbata is an introduced species in California, and our results suggest that the order in which genotypes were introduced has shaped the trajectory of contemporary evolution. While recombination among multiple introduced genotypes has occurred, much of the evolutionary change appears to have occurred through earlier colonists being displaced by better adapted but later arriving genotypes.
Fibroblast-derived Hgf controls recruitment and expansion of muscle during morphogenesis of the mammalian diaphragm

The diaphragm is a domed muscle between the thorax and abdomen essential for breathing in mammals. Diaphragm development requires the coordinated development of muscle, connective tissue, and nerve, which are derived from different embryonic sources. Defects in diaphragm development cause the common and often lethal birth defect, congenital diaphragmatic hernias (CDH). HGF/MET signaling is required for diaphragm muscularization, but the source of HGF and the specific functions of this pathway in muscle progenitors and effects on phrenic nerve have not been explicitly tested. Using conditional mutagenesis in mice and pharmacological inhibition of MET, we demonstrate that the pleuroperitoneal folds (PPFs), transient embryonic structures that give rise to the connective tissue in the diaphragm, are the source of HGF critical for diaphragm muscularization. PPF-derived HGF is directly required for recruitment of MET+ muscle progenitors to the diaphragm and indirectly (via its effect on muscle development) required for phrenic nerve primary branching. In addition, HGF is continuously required for maintenance and motility of the pool of progenitors to enable full muscularization. Localization of HGF at the diaphragm’s leading edges directs dorsal and ventral expansion of muscle and regulates its overall size and shape. Surprisingly, large muscleless regions in HGF and Met mutants do not lead to hernias. While these regions are likely more susceptible to CDH, muscle loss is not sufficient to cause CDH.
Metabolic novelty originating from horizontal gene transfer is essential for leaf beetle survival

Significance The radiation of speciose herbivorous beetle lineages on plants correlates with the horizontal acquisition of microbial-derived enzymes targeting plant cell wall (PCW) polysaccharides, including the highly abundant pectin. However, to what extent PCW digestion is relevant for beetles’ nutrition and fitness remains unclear. We show that leaf beetles of a pectinase-null mutant line experienced severely impaired growth and survival, which could be rescued by supplementing orally a pectinase enzyme but not the pectin breakdown end product. We demonstrate that pectin digestion allows the beetles to gain access to the plant’s nutritious cell content rather than providing a carbon source. Importantly, our findings illustrate the significance of PCW-degrading enzymes for the evolutionary success of herbivorous beetles.
Meniscus-Shaped Stromal Lenticule Addition Keratoplasty for Corneal Regularization and Thickening in Advanced Keratoconus

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the outcome of the meniscus-shaped stromal lenticule addition keratoplasty (MS-SLAK) in corneal regularization and thickness. Methods: Patients waiting for deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty for advanced keratoconus with an intolerance to contact lenses (CLs) underwent the MS-SLAK procedure by FSL 80 kHz ablation (VICTUS, Technolas Perfect Vision, DE). Customized positive meniscus-shaped stromal lenticules were obtained and implanted. Examination was performed at baseline and at 3-, 6-, and 12-month follow-up and included corrected distance visual acuity both with spectacles and CLs (spectacle CDVA and CL-CDVA), manifest refraction spherical equivalent, slit-lamp examination, anterior segment optical coherence tomography, corneal topography, and in vivo confocal microscopy. Results: Fifteen patients completed the study. Statistical increases in corneal thickness values were found from the first follow-up (P < 0.001). Improvement in the Surface Asymmetry Index (P = 0.04), Symmetry Index (P = 0.02), spherical aberration (P < 0.001), coma (P= 0.18), high-order aberration (P = 0.37), and anterior asphericity index (Q) (P = 0.31) were found at 12 months. At the 12-month follow-up, no improvement were found in spectacle CDVA (P = 0.23); however, all patients reported CL wearing tolerance recovery, and significant improvement in CL-CDVA (P = 0.002) was found. The confocal microscopy at 12 months showed a significant increase in keratocyte density within the lenticule and absence of fibrotic reactions in both anterior and posterior interfaces. Conclusions: MS-SLAK seems to be effective in regularizing the corneal surface as showed by the significant improvement in topographic symmetry indices, coma, and high-order aberration. The corneal regularization is also confirmed by the results in anterior Q and the recovery of the CL wearing tolerance.
SMAD3 interacts with vitamin D receptor and affects vitamin D‐mediated oxidative stress to ameliorate cerebral ischaemia–reperfusion injury

Cerebral ischaemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury is caused by blood flow restoration after an ischaemic insult, and effective treatments targeting I/R injury are still insufficient. Oxidative stress plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of cerebral I/R injury. This study investigated whether vitamin D receptor (VDR) could inhibit oxidative stress caused by cerebral I/R injury and explored the detailed mechanism. VDR was highly expressed in brain tissues of mice with cerebral I/R injury. Pretreatment with the active vitamin D calcitriol and synthetic vitamin D analogue paricalcitol (PC) reduced autophagy and apoptosis, improved neurological deficits and decreased infarct size in mice after cerebral I/R. Calcitriol or PC upregulated VDR expression to prevent cerebral I/R injury by affecting oxidative stress. Silencing of VDR reversed the protective effects of calcitriol or PC on brain tissues in mice with cerebral I/R. The bioinformatics analysis revealed that VDR interacted with SMAD family member 3 (SMAD3). It was validated through the chromatin immunoprecipitation assay that SMAD3 can bind to the VDR promoter and VDR can bind to the SMAD3 promoter. Collectively, these findings provide evidence that reciprocal activation between SMAD3 and VDR transcription factors defines vitamin D‐mediated oxidative stress to prevent cerebral I/R injury.
Bottom‐associated phytoplankton bloom and its expansion in the Arctic Ocean

Phytoplankton production in the Arctic Ocean is increasing due to global warming‐induced sea ice loss, which is generally assessed through satellite observations of surface chlorophyll. Here we show that a diatom bloom can occur near the seafloor rather than at the surface in the open Arctic Ocean. Light can reach the seafloor underlying nutrient‐rich bottom water after the spring bloom because the surface water becomes oligotrophic and increases transparency in the region of shallow Arctic shelf. Our microcosm experiment demonstrated that diatoms formed a bloom when sediments on the shelf region, which contained abundant viable diatom cells, were exposed to even weak light reaching the seafloor (~1% of the surface irradiance). Repeated shipboard observations in the shelf region suggested that such bottom‐associated blooms occurred occasionally and the primary production was significantly underestimated by satellite observations. The average bottom irradiance (2003–2017) in the Arctic Ocean is particularly promoted in summer in the eastern East Siberian Sea and the Foxe Basin, which were ice‐covered throughout the year until the 1990s. Our results imply that hidden bottom‐associated blooms are now widespread across the shallow Arctic shelf region.
SARS‐CoV‐2 ORF3a inhibits cGAS‐STING‐mediated autophagy flux and antiviral function

Recognizing aberrant cytoplasmic dsDNA and stimulating cGAS‐STING‐mediated innate immunity is essential for the host defense against viruses. Recent studies have reported that SARS‐CoV‐2 infection, responsible for the COVID‐19 pandemic, triggers cGAS‐STING activation. cGAS‐STING activation can trigger IRF3‐Type I interferon (IFN) and autophagy‐mediated antiviral activity. Although viral evasion of STING‐triggered IFN‐mediated antiviral function has been well studied, studies concerning viral evasion of STING‐triggered autophagy‐mediated antiviral function are scarce. In the present study, we have discovered that SARS‐CoV‐2 ORF3a is a unique viral protein that can interact with STING and disrupt the STING‐LC3 interaction, thus blocking cGAS‐STING‐induced autophagy but not IRF3‐Type I IFN induction. This novel function of ORF3a, distinct from targeting autophagosome‐lysosome fusion, is a selective inhibition of STING‐triggered autophagy to facilitate viral replication. We have also found that activation of bat STING can induce autophagy and antiviral activity despite its defect in IFN induction. Furthermore, ORF3a from bat coronaviruses can block bat STING‐triggered autophagy and antiviral function. Interestingly, the ability to inhibit STING‐induced autophagy appears to be an acquired function of SARS‐CoV‐2 ORF3a, since SARS‐CoV ORF3a lacks this function. Taken together, these discoveries identify ORF3a as a potential target for intervention against COVID‐19.