Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Topological analysis of functional connectivity in Parkinson’s disease

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a clinically heterogeneous disorder, which mainly affects patients’ motor and non-motor function. Functional connectivity was preliminary explored and studied through resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rsfMRI). Through the topological analysis of 54 PD scans and 31 age-matched normal controls (NC) in the Neurocon dataset, leveraging on rsfMRI data, the brain functional connection and the Vietoris-Rips (VR) complex were constructed. The barcodes of the complex were calculated to reflect the changes of functional connectivity neural circuits (FCNC) in brain network. The 0-dimensional Betti number β0 means the number of connected branches in VR complex. The average number of connected branches in PD group was greater than that in NC group when the threshold δ ≤ 0.7. Two-sample Mann–Whitney U test and false discovery rate (FDR) correction were used for statistical analysis to investigate the FCNC changes between PD and NC groups. In PD group, under threshold of 0.7, the number of FCNC involved was significantly differences and these brain regions include the Cuneus_R, Lingual_R, Fusiform_R and Heschl_R. There are also significant differences in brain regions in the Frontal_Inf_Orb_R and Pallidum_R, when the threshold increased to 0.8 and 0.9 (p < 0.05). In addition, when the length of FCNC was medium, there was a significant statistical difference between the PD group and the NC group in the Neurocon dataset and the Parkinson’s Progression Markers Initiative (PPMI) dataset. Topological analysis based on rsfMRI data may provide comprehensive information about the changes of FCNC and may provide an alternative for clinical differential diagnosis.
Feasibility of Measuring Mean Vertical Motion for Estimating Advection. Chapter 6

Numerous recent studies calculate horizontal and vertical advection terms for budget studies of net ecosystem exchange of carbon. One potential uncertainty in such studies is the estimate of mean vertical motion. This work addresses the reliability of vertical advection estimates by contrasting the vertical motion obtained from the standard practise of measuring the vertical velocity and applying a tilt correction, to the vertical motion calculated from measurements of the horizontal divergence of the flow using a network of towers. Results are compared for three different tilt correction methods. Estimates of mean vertical motion are sensitive to the choice of tilt correction method. The short-term mean (10 to 60 minutes) vertical motion based on the horizontal divergence is more realistic compared to the estimates derived from the standard practise. The divergence shows long-term mean (days to months) sinking motion at the site, apparently due to the surface roughness change. Because all the tilt correction methods rely on the assumption that the long-term mean vertical motion is zero for a given wind direction, they fail to reproduce the vertical motion based on the divergence.
Helicity Dynamics, Inverse, and Bidirectional Cascades in Fluid and Magnetohydrodynamic Turbulence: A Brief Review

We briefly review helicity dynamics, inverse and bidirectional cascades in fluid and magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) turbulence, with an emphasis on the latter. The energy of a turbulent system, an invariant in the nondissipative case, is transferred to small scales through nonlinear mode coupling. Fifty years ago, it was realized that, for a two‐dimensional fluid, energy cascades instead to larger scales and so does magnetic excitation in MHD. However, evidence obtained recently indicates that, in fact, for a range of governing parameters, there are systems for which their ideal invariants can be transferred, with constant fluxes, to both the large scales and the small scales, as for MHD or rotating stratified flows, in the latter case including quasi‐geostrophic forcing. Such bidirectional, split, cascades directly affect the rate at which mixing and dissipation occur in these flows in which nonlinear eddies interact with fast waves with anisotropic dispersion laws, due, for example, to imposed rotation, stratification, or uniform magnetic fields. The directions of cascades can be obtained in some cases through the use of phenomenological arguments, one of which we derive here following classical lines in the case of the inverse magnetic helicity cascade in electron MHD. With more highly resolved data sets stemming from large laboratory experiments, high‐performance computing, and in situ satellite observations, machine learning tools are bringing novel perspectives to turbulence research. Such algorithms help devise new explicit subgrid‐scale parameterizations, which in turn may lead to enhanced physical insight, including in the future in the case of these new bidirectional cascades.
Association between visceral obesity and 10-year risk of first atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases events among American adults: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

Background In the United States, the relationship between visceral obesity and the risk of developing atherosclerosis cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) for the first time in 10 years is unclear. Methods Data for this cross-sectional study came from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2011 to 2020. We collected variable information related to 10-year ASCVD risk and visceral obesity reliable indicators [Visceral obesity index (VAI) and Lipid accumulation product (LAP)]. And we used multiple logistic regression to analyze the correlation of visceral obesity indicators (VAI and LAP) with 10-year ASCVD risk. In addition, we assessed the linear relationship between VAI or LAP and 10-year ASCVD risk by smoothing curve fitting. Finally, we conducted subgroup analysis and sensitivity analysis after excluding participants with extreme VAI and LAP values to ensure that we obtained accurate and reliable results. Results Our study included a total of 1,547 participants (mean age: 56.5 ± 10.1, 60% of males). The results of the multiple logistic regression showed that compared with participants with the lowest VAI in the 1st Quartile (≤0.79), the adjusted OR values for VAI and elevated 10-year ASCVD risk in Q3 (1.30–2.14), and Q4 (≥2.15) were 2.58 (95% CI: 1.24–5.36, P = 0.011), 15.14 (95% CI: 6.93–33.05, P < 0.001), respectively. Compared with participants with the lowest LAP in the 1st Quartile (≤28.29), the adjusted OR values for VAI and elevated 10-year ASCVD risk in Q3 (46.52–77.00), and Q4 (≥77.01) were 4.63 (95% CI: 2.18–9.82, P < 0.001), 16.94 (95% CI: 6.74–42.57, P < 0.001), respectively. Stratified analysis showed that the association between VAI or LAP and the first ASCVD event was more pronounced in males. Conclusion Higher VAI or LAP scores are significantly associated with elevated 10-year ASCVD risk in adults aged 40 to 79 in the USA, which suggested that monitoring visceral obesity is crucial to reduce the risk of a first ASCVD event.
Quercetin Alleviated Inflammasome-Mediated Pyroptosis and Modulated the mTOR/P70S6/P6/eIF4E/4EBP1 Pathway in Ischemic Stroke

Stroke ranks as the world’s second most prevalent cause of mortality, and it represents a major public health concern with profound economic and social implications. In the present study, we elucidated the neuroprotective role of quercetin on NLRP3-associated pyroptosis, Nrf2-coupled anti-inflammatory, and mTOR-dependent downstream pathways. Male Sprague Dawley rats were subjected to 72 h of transient middle cerebral artery ischemia, followed by the administration of 10 mg/kg of quercetin. Our findings demonstrated that MCAO induced elevated ROS which were coupled to inflammasome-mediated pyroptosis and altered mTOR-related signaling proteins. We performed ELISA, immunohistochemistry, and Western blotting to unveil the underlying role of the Nrf2/HO-1 and PDK/AKT/mTOR pathways in the ischemic cortex and striatum. Our results showed that quercetin post-treatment activated the Nrf2/HO-1 cascade, reversed pyroptosis, and modulated the autophagy-related pathway PDK/AKT/mTOR/P70S6/P6/eIF4E/4EBP1. Further, quercetin enhances the sequestering effect of 14-3-3 and reversed the decrease in interaction between p-Bad and 14-3-3 and p-FKHR and 14-3-3. Our findings showed that quercetin exerts its protective benefits and rescues neuronal damage by several mechanisms, and it might be a viable neuroprotective drug for ischemic stroke therapy.
Exploring the natural products chemical space through a molecular search to discover potential inhibitors that target the hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) prolyl hydroxylase domain (PHD)

Introduction: Hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) prolyl hydroxylase domain (PHD) enzymes are major therapeutic targets of anemia and ischemic/hypoxia diseases. To overcome safety issues, liver failure, and problems associated with on-/off-targets, natural products due to their novel and unique structures offer promising alternatives as drug targets. Methods: In the current study, the Marine Natural Products, North African, South African, East African, and North-East African chemical space was explored for HIF-PHD inhibitors discovery through molecular search, and the final hits were validated using molecular simulation and free energy calculation approaches. Results: Our results revealed that CMNPD13808 with a docking score of −8.690 kcal/mol, CID15081178 with a docking score of −8.027 kcal/mol, CID71496944 with a docking score of −8.48 kcal/mol and CID11821407 with a docking score of −7.78 kcal/mol possess stronger activity than the control N-[(4-hydroxy-8-iodoisoquinolin-3-yl)carbonyl]glycine, 4HG (−6.87 kcal/mol). Interaction analysis revealed that the target compounds interact with Gln239, Tyr310, Tyr329, Arg383 and Trp389 residues, and chelate the active site iron in a bidentate manner in PHD2. Molecular simulation revealed that these target hits robustly block the PHD2 active site by demonstrating stable dynamics. Furthermore, the half-life of the Arg383 hydrogen bond with the target ligands, which is an important factor for PHD2 inhibition, remained almost constant in all the complexes during the simulation. Finally, the total binding free energy of each complex was calculated as CMNPD13808-PHD2 −72.91 kcal/mol, CID15081178-PHD2 −65.55 kcal/mol, CID71496944-PHD2 −68.47 kcal/mol, and CID11821407-PHD2 −62.06 kcal/mol, respectively. Conclusion: The results show the compounds possess good activity in contrast to the control drug (4HG) and need further in vitro and in vivo validation for possible usage as potential drugs against HIF-PHD2-associated diseases.
Comprehensive Analysis and Optimization of Parasitic Capacitance on Conducted EMI and Switching Losses in Hybrid-Packaged SiC Power Modules

The high switching speeds of Wide BandGap (WBG) devices promise further breakthroughs in the development of power modules. However, parasitic parameters bring more adverse effects at high-speed switching conditions, which makes WBG bring more power loss and ElectroMagnetic Interference (EMI) problems. In this article, a 1200-V/24-A SiC half-bridge power module is presented with ultralow parasitic capacitance and inductance for low common-mode (CM) EMI and low power loss. This module is designed from a stacked substrate hybrid package structure by optimizing the layout pattern. The effects of parasitic capacitance on the switching loss and conducted EMI of SiC devices are comprehensively investigated based on the analysis models. And the parasitic capacitance reduction methods and the tradeoff optimization for geometrical parameters are given accordingly. The power module's layout is designed, optimized, and fabricated based on the analysis results. The proposed SiC half-bridge module reduces CM current by 17 dB and total switching loss by 28.5% compared to discrete devices. Experimental results validate the superior performance of the optimized module.
Comparative temperature retrievals based on VIRTIS/VEX and PMV/VENERA-15 radiation measurements over the northern hemisphere of Venus

Latitude-dependent temperature profiles were determined from nadir-looking nightside radiation measurements over the northern hemisphere of Venus. Prominent and well-known temperature structures like ‘cold collar’ and ‘hot dipole’ have been re-examined. This work focuses on a comparative temperature retrieval using both recently collected data from VIRTIS on Venus Express and older data from the Russian PMV on VENERA-15 experiments performed in the 1980s. 1370 VIRTIS and 1150 PMV spectra for different latitudes between 0° and 85 °N were investigated. VIRTIS-M-IR data cover the spectral region 1-5 µm, while PMV data involve the 6-36 µm region. The strong CO2 absorption bands located at 4.3 µm (VIRTIS) and 15 µm (PMV) are used to retrieve the thermal structure of the middle atmosphere at altitudes between 50 and 100 km. A similar spectral resolution of both measurement sets in these bands in the order of 10 cm-1 enables direct comparisons of retrieval results. Additional information on Venus lower atmosphere could be extracted from the 2.3 and 1.7 µm emission windows. The observed high variability of nightside absorption and emission window radiances is due to the combined influence of temperature and cloud opacity changes with latitude and time. When temperature profiles in the middle atmosphere are retrieved from both VIRTIS and PMV measurements, which were performed at a similar geographic location, time-averaged results should be approximately the same. On the one hand, deviations may indicate that the cloud composition and altitude distribution models, which are used in the simulations, are not optimal. On the other hand, retrieval result differences may also point to problems in the data calibration at certain spectral regions. Microphysical parameters of H2SO4 aerosols strongly differ at 4.3 versus 15 µm, and a different chemical aerosol composition would result in different spectral features of microphysical parameters. Changes in these profiles eventually lead to different temperature profiles. The discussion of possible improvements of the cloud model is an important aspect of the present investigation, therefore.
A note on carbon taxes and trade spillovers within Europe

Carbon taxation is a highly debated environmental policy tool and can contribute to tackling climate change. Before the advent of the emission trading system in the European Union, forms of carbon taxation were present in some EU member states; furthermore, after the approval of the well-known EU Green Deal, carbon taxes can gain momentum in addressing emissions from sectors not involved in the EU Emissions Trading System. Due to this historical evolution of environmental policies over the last decades and in the presence of a system that assigns to EU member states, the governance of energy and fiscal issues, heterogeneous carbon/energy policy settings may determine the impact on growth and trade. This article provides food for thought for a policy through an empirical evaluation of the impact on the gross domestic product of trade spillovers related to carbon taxation in the European Union.
Physiological and Structural Changes in Apple Tree Branches of Different Varieties during Dormancy

Low temperature is an abiotic stress factor limiting the distribution of fruit tree cultivation areas. As temperate deciduous fruit trees, apple (Malus domestica) trees go dormant in the winter to adapt to or avoid damage caused by low temperatures. The capacity for cold resistance is closely linked to the physiological, biochemical, and structural characteristics of one-year-old branches. In this study, we investigated such changes in the branches of cold-resistant ‘Hanfu’ (HF) and cold-sensitive ‘Naganofuji 2’ (CF) apple varieties. The relative electrical conductivity, malondialdehyde content, and reactive oxygen species content of HF branches were lower than those of CF branches, while the antioxidant enzyme activity was higher in HF. The proline, soluble protein, and soluble sugar contents in both varieties showed an initial increase, followed by a subsequent decrease. Sucrose and sorbitol were the main sugar components, but sucrose and fructose were higher in HF than in CF. The periderm, phloem, and xylem of HF branches were also found to be thicker than those of CF branches, while the vessel diameter was smaller and the density greater. The results of this study provide a theoretical reference for further research on the low temperature adaptability of apple tree branches during dormancy.
Going beyond consensus genome sequences: An innovative SNP-based methodology reconstructs different Ugandan cassava brown streak virus haplotypes at a nationwide scale in Rwanda

Abstract Cassava Brown Streak Disease (CBSD), which is caused by cassava brown streak virus (CBSV) and Ugandan cassava brown streak virus (UCBSV), represents one of the most devastating threats to cassava production in Africa, including in Rwanda where a dramatic epidemic in 2014 dropped cassava yield from 3.3 million to 900,000 tonnes (1). Studying viral genetic diversity at the genome level is essential in disease management, as it can provide valuable information on the origin and dynamics of epidemic events. To fill the current lack of genome-based diversity studies of UCBSV, we performed a nationwide survey of cassava ipomovirus genomic sequences in Rwanda by high-throughput sequencing (HTS) of pools of plants sampled from 130 cassava fields in thirteen cassava-producing districts, spanning seven agro-ecological zones with contrasting climatic conditions and different cassava cultivars. HTS allowed the assembly of a nearly complete consensus genome of UCBSV in twelve districts. The phylogenetic analysis revealed high homology between UCBSV genome sequences, with a maximum of 0.8 per cent divergence between genomes at the nucleotide level. An in-depth investigation based on Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) was conducted to explore the genome diversity beyond the consensus sequences. First, to ensure the validity of the result, a panel of SNPs was confirmed by independent reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Sanger sequencing. Furthermore, the combination of fixation index (FST) calculation and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) based on SNP patterns identified three different UCBSV haplotypes geographically clustered. The haplotype 2 (H2) was restricted to the central regions, where the NAROCAS 1 cultivar is predominantly farmed. RT-PCR and Sanger sequencing of individual NAROCAS1 plants confirmed their association with H2. Haplotype 1 was widely spread, with a 100 per cent occurrence in the Eastern region, while Haplotype 3 was only found in the Western region. These haplotypes’ associations with specific cultivars or regions would need further confirmation. Our results prove that a much more complex picture of genetic diversity can be deciphered beyond the consensus sequences, with practical implications on virus epidemiology, evolution, and disease management. Our methodology proposes a high-resolution analysis of genome diversity beyond the consensus between and within samples. It can be used at various scales, from individual plants to pooled samples of virus-infected plants. Our findings also showed how subtle genetic differences could be informative on the potential impact of agricultural practices, as the presence and frequency of a virus haplotype could be correlated with the dissemination and adoption of improved cultivars.
RESEARCH PROGRAMME MEASURES THE VARIABILITY OF URBAN JOURNEY TIMES

This article reports research results on the modelling and evaluation of journey time variability (JTV) with the aim of revealing the factors underlying the relationship between JTV, journey length and congestion. Earlier research in the city of London, UK, was compared to recent, more wide-ranging research carried out in the city of Leeds. The London study considered only the morning peak period while the Leeds project covered the whole day. Statistics of mean journey time, standard deviation and coefficient of variation were compared. An equation was devised relating the coefficient of variation to journey time, free flow journey time and journey distance. This could be used to estimate the user benefits of changes to journey time reliability. Caution would need to be exercised, however, in using the recommended equation in different locations.
Comportement actuel de l'avant-arc et de l'arc du coude de Arica dans l'orogénèse des Andes centrales

Intracontinental seismicity in the forearc of the Central Andean Orocline connects at depth to the subuction plane. It probably releases a small part of the elastic strain generated in the crust by the aseismic slip, occurring during the interseismic period, of the subduction plane brittle creep fault zone. Intracontinental seismicity in the Precordillera and volcanic arc of the Central Andean Orocline is distributed into shallow seismic swarms characterized by the occurrence of Mw>5. 0 earthquakes. These Mw>5. 0 seisms generally occur a few months after large subduction earthquakes (Mw>7. 5), probably due to stress tranfers into the upper plate crust from coseismic, and possibly post-seismic, slip along the subduction interface. This apparent causal relationship can be understood within the conceptual framework of slip partioning of the convergence vector. Combination of seismological data with satellite image analysis and field observations shows that deformation in the Central Andean Orocline is partitioned into the Precordillera and volcanic arc along a broad shear zone characterized by sinestral and dextral kinematics, respectively in Southern Peru and Northern Chile. Deformation of the upper plate thus appears to be dominated by margin-parallel, intra-arc transcurrent systems, which also affect the Precordillera. Partitioning may be explained by the convergence obliquity, the architecture of the forearc and volcanic arc. Its variations along the Central Andean Orocline would thus be controlled by the margin geometry. Stress tensor analysis indicates that s2 is vertical, and s1 and s3 are characterized by a counter-clockwise rotation from Northern Chile to Southern Peru
Theoretical model of high-speed tracked vehicle general motion

This paper presents a systematically derived theoretical model for the motion of tracked vehicles, encompassing various scenarios such as soft terrain and slopes. The model considers all the resistances encountered by tracked vehicles, including track-terrain interaction, grade and air resistance, centrifugal force, inertial forces, and turning resistance. The heading angle determines the geometrical orientation of the vehicle on the slope. A MATLAB model of tracked vehicle general motion was established based on theoretical discussions. The paper discusses the steering performance of tracked vehicles on slopes of different inclinations. A simulation of steering with different turning radiuses was also presented. It is shown that the proposed model can be used for predicting and evaluating the steering performance of tracked vehicles with adequate accuracy. Furthermore, due to its high computational efficiency, the proposed model can be utilized for power demand modeling in research on the hybridization or electrification of tracked vehicles.