Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Predictive value of remnant cholesterol level for all-cause mortality in heart failure patients

Background Lower cholesterol levels are associated with increased mortality in heart failure (HF) patients. Remnant cholesterol corresponds to all cholesterol not found in high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL). The prognostic role of remnant cholesterol in HF remains unknown. Objective To reveal the relationship between the baseline remnant cholesterol level and all-cause mortality in HF patients. Methods This study enrolled 2,823 patients hospitalized for HF. Kaplan–Meier analysis, Cox regression, C-statistic, net reclassification improvement (NRI), and integrated discrimination improvement (IDI) were used to evaluate the prognostic value of remnant cholesterol for all-cause mortality in HF. Results The mortality rate was lowest in the fourth quartile of remnant cholesterol, which had an adjusted hazard ratio (HR) for death of 0.56 [HR: 0.39, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.46–0.68, p < 0.001] relative to the first quartile. After adjustment, a one-unit increase in the level of remnant cholesterol was associated with a 41% decrease in the risk of all-cause mortality (HR: 0.59, 95% CI: 0.47–0.73, p < 0.001). A refinement in risk prediction was observed after adding remnant cholesterol quartile to the original model (ΔC-statistic = 0.010, 95% CI: 0.003–0.017; NRI = 0.036, 95% CI: 0.003–0.070; IDI = 0.025, 95% CI: 0.018–0.033; all p < 0.05). Conclusion Low remnant cholesterol levels are associated with increased all-cause mortality in HF patients. The addition of the remnant cholesterol quartile improved the predictive value over traditional risk factors. Clinical Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov, Unique Identifier: NCT02664818.
Expression of Basement Membrane Molecules by Wharton Jelly Stem Cells (WJSC) in Full-Term Human Umbilical Cords, Cell Cultures and Microtissues

Wharton’s jelly stem cells (WJSC) from the human umbilical cord (UC) are one of the most promising mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) in tissue engineering (TE) and advanced therapies. The cell niche is a key element for both, MSC and fully differentiated tissues, to preserve their unique features. The basement membrane (BM) is an essential structure during embryonic development and in adult tissues. Epithelial BMs are well-known, but similar structures are present in other histological structures, such as in peripheral nerve fibers, myocytes or chondrocytes. Previous studies suggest the expression of some BM molecules within the Wharton’s Jelly (WJ) of UC, but the distribution pattern and full expression profile of these molecules have not been yet elucidated. In this sense, the aim of this histological study was to evaluate the expression of main BM molecules within the WJ, cultured WJSC and during WJSC microtissue (WJSC-MT) formation process. Results confirmed the presence of a pericellular matrix composed by the main BM molecules—collagens (IV, VII), HSPG2, agrin, laminin and nidogen—around the WJSC within UC. Additionally, ex vivo studies demonstrated the synthesis of these BM molecules, except agrin, especially during WJSC-MT formation process. The WJSC capability to synthesize main BM molecules could offer new alternatives for the generation of biomimetic-engineered substitutes where these molecules are particularly needed.
Disabling experiences and inclusive school: reframing the debate in Portugal

ABSTRACT This article aims to problematise the discourses of inclusive education by analysing the experiences of disabled people in the Portuguese regular school system. Individual interviews and focus group, held in different areas of the country, exposed the main debates, contradictions and continuities between policies and practices coming from irreconcilable paradigms. These barriers to learning and participation were traced at the organizational, curricular, and pedagogical levels, and at the socialization with peers, suggesting a political, temporal and contextual transversality of an individualizing and disabling gaze, with immediate and long-term discriminatory, segregating and excluding effects on the lives of disabled people. These experiences could be the basis for recognizing the ubiquity of exclusion in school as we know it, and for creating solidarity and democratic educational communities where these barriers are systematically denatured and eliminated.
The Centaur 10199 Chariklo: investigation into rotational period, absolute magnitude, and cometary activity

Context . Rings have recently been discovered around the Centaur 10199 Chariklo. Aims . In this paper we present new photometric data, obtained at the 4.2 m SOAR Telescope, aiming to investigate Chariklo’s absolute magnitude and rotational period, which is still unknown, and to look for potential cometary activity. Methods . The field background of the images was very crowded so several approaches were used for the extraction of Chariklo fluxes. The background sources were subtracted using difference image analysis and then aperture photometry was applied. A Fourier polynomial fit was used to determine the period. Results . We find a synodic rotation period of 7.004±0.036 h. The visual absolute magnitude derived from the SOAR data is H v = 7.03 ± 0.10. We model the rings’ contribution to the flux, and find that the derived H v is consistent with the predicted ring system aspect angle. We also revised the Chariklo system albedo (4.2%) and effective radius (119 ± 5 km) from a re-analysis of Herschel and WISE thermal data obtained during 2010 with the correct Hv value. No coma is detected from the SOAR data, nor in previous VLT images acquired in 2007−2008, where the rings’ aspect angle was close to zero. The upper limit to the dust production rate is 2.5 kg/s.
Effective medium theories for artificial materials composed of multiple sizes of spherical inclusions in a host continuum

This paper presents the application of nonempirical effective medium theories to describe composite mixtures of spherical inclusions within a host continuum. It is shown that the most common effective medium theories collapse into Bruggeman's (1935) asymmetric formula when they are implemented in an iterative scheme to extend their validity to higher volume fractions. Comparisons of DC and 4-GHz data show that of all the formulas Bruggeman's asymmetric formula corresponds best with experiment for large differences between the complex permittivities of the host and inclusion materials. Permeability values are also formulated and compared with experiment and a simple scheme is considered to extend the effective medium theories herein to a description of the diamagnetic effect of induced current in metal spherical inclusions.
Computation of three-dimensional tokamak and spherical torus equilibria

A nominally axisymmetric plasma configuration, such as a tokamak or a spherical torus, is highly sensitive to nonaxisymmetric magnetic perturbations due to currents outside of the plasma. The high sensitivity means that the primary interest is in the response of the plasma to very small perturbations, i.e., ∣b∕B∣≈10−2 to 10−4, which can be calculated using the theory of perturbed equilibria. The ideal perturbed equilibrium code (IPEC) is described and applied to the study of the plasma response in a spherical torus to such external perturbations.
Lewy Body-like Pathology and Loss of Dopaminergic Neurons in Midbrain Organoids Derived from Familial Parkinson’s Disease Patient

Progressive accumulation of α-Synuclein (αSyn) in Lewy bodies (LBs) and loss of dopaminergic (DA) neurons are the hallmark pathological features of Parkinson’s disease (PD). Although currently available in vitro and in vivo models have provided crucial information about PD pathogenesis, the mechanistic link between the progressive accumulation of αSyn into LBs and the loss of DA neurons is still unclear. To address this, it is critical to model LB formation and DA neuron loss, the two key neuropathological aspects of PD, in a relevant in vitro system. In this study, we developed a human midbrain-like organoid (hMBO) model of PD. We demonstrated that hMBOs generated from induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs), derived from a familial PD (fPD) patient carrying αSyn gene (SNCA) triplication accumulate pathological αSyn over time. These cytoplasmic inclusions spatially and morphologically resembled diverse stages of LB formation and were composed of key markers of LBs. Importantly, the progressive accumulation of pathological αSyn was paralleled by the loss of DA neurons and elevated apoptosis. The model developed in this study will complement the existing in vitro models of PD and will provide a unique platform to study the spatiotemporal events governing LB formation and their relation with neurodegeneration. Furthermore, this model will also be beneficial for in vitro screening and the development of therapeutic compounds.
An improved reference genome for Trifolium subterraneum L. provides insight into molecular diversity and intra-specific phylogeny

Subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L., Ts) is a geocarpic, self-fertile annual forage legume with a compact diploid genome (n = x = 8, 544 Mb/1C). Its resilience and climate adaptivity have made it an economically important species in Mediterranean and temperate zones. Using the cultivar Daliak, we generated higher resolution sequence data, created a new genome assembly TSUd_3.0, and conducted molecular diversity analysis for copy number variant (CNV) and single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) among 36 cultivars. TSUd_3.0 substantively improves prior genome assemblies with new Hi-C and long-read sequence data, covering 531 Mb, containing 41,979 annotated genes and generating a 94.4% BUSCO score. Comparative genomic analysis among select members of the tribe Trifolieae indicated TSUd 3.0 corrects six assembly-error inversion/duplications and confirmed phylogenetic relationships. Its synteny with T. pratense, T. repens, Medicago truncatula and Lotus japonicus genomes were assessed, with the more distantly related T. repens and M. truncatula showing higher levels of co-linearity with Ts than between Ts and its close relative T. pratense. Resequencing of 36 cultivars discovered 7,789,537 SNPs subsequently used for genomic diversity assessment and sequence-based clustering. Heterozygosity estimates ranged from 1% to 21% within the 36 cultivars and may be influenced by admixture. Phylogenetic analysis supported subspecific genetic structure, although it indicates four or five groups, rather than the three recognized subspecies. Furthermore, there were incidences where cultivars characterized as belonging to a particular subspecies clustered with another subspecies when using genomic data. These outcomes suggest that further investigation of Ts sub-specific classification using molecular and morpho-physiological data is needed to clarify these relationships. This upgraded reference genome, complemented with comprehensive sequence diversity analysis of 36 cultivars, provides a platform for future gene functional analysis of key traits, and genome-based breeding strategies for climate adaptation and agronomic performance. Pangenome analysis, more in-depth intra-specific phylogenomic analysis using the Ts core collection, and functional genetic and genomic studies are needed to further augment knowledge of Trifolium genomes.
A theory of the stability of plane shock waves

The stability of form of a plane shock, obtained when a ‘corrugated' piston is moved impulsively from rest with constant velocity, is investigated mathematically. Linearization of the problem is accomplished by assuming the corrugations to be small. The solution is built up by methods of Fourier analysis from ‘conefield’ solutions of the analogous ‘wedge’- shaped piston problem, solved by methods due to Lighthill. The plane shock is shown to be stable, perturbations from plane decaying with time in an oscillatory manner like t-½ for large ta1/λ (where a1 is the velocity of sound behind the shock and λ the wave-length of the corrugations). The stability, measured by the amplitude of this oscillation after the shock has traversed a given distance, decreases both as the shock Mach number increases above and decreases below the value 1⋅14. Shocks of this strength exhibit strongest stability. Asymptotic forms for large time are given for both the shock shape and pressure distribution for shocks of moderate strength in §4. A more complicated asymptotic form for the shock shape holds at large Mach numbers (§5) which in the limiting case of infinite Mach number gives the result that the perturbations of shape decay like t-½ only. Complete solutions are obtained for weak shocks in terms of Bessel functions (§6).
Excesses in cosmic ray positron and electron spectra from a nearby clump of neutralino dark matter

In this letter, we suggest that a nearby clump of 600-1000 GeV neutralinos may be responsible for the excesses recently observed in the cosmic ray positron and electron spectra by the PAMELA and ATIC experiments. Although neutralino dark matter annihilating throughout the halo of the Milky Way is predicted to produce a softer spectrum than is observed, and violate constraints from cosmic ray antiproton measurements, a large nearby (within 1-2 kiloparsecs of the Solar System) clump of annihilating neutralinos can lead to a spectrum which is consistent with PAMELA and ATIC, while also producing an acceptable antiproton flux. Furthermore, the presence of a large dark matter clump can potentially accommodate the very large annihilation rate required to produce the PAMELA and ATIC signals. We estimate the probability of a sufficiently large clump being present to be {approx}10{sup -3} or less.
Variations in male height during the epidemiological transition in Italy: A cointegration approach

BACKGROUND The historical demography literature has a longstanding interest in establishing a connection between human body development and the living conditions experienced during infancy and childhood. Empirical research on such matters increasingly relies on survival indicators rather than classical economic measures of living standards, as the former are more directly linked to nutritional quality, material well-being levels, and technological development. OBJECTIVE We explore the relationship between epidemiological conditions and male adult height variation in Italy to understand if and to what extent progress in survival impacted human body evolution during the epidemiological transition.
Potential Anti-Alzheimer Properties of Mogrosides in Vitamin B12-Deficient Caenorhabditis elegans

Vitamin B12 deficiency can lead to oxidative stress, which is known to be involved in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Mogrosides are plant-derived triterpene glycosides that exhibit anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity in animal cell lines and mouse models. Since amyloid-β toxicity is known to cause oxidative stress and damage to brain cells, we hypothesized that mogrosides may have a protective effect against AD. In this study, we investigated the potential anti-AD effect of mogrosides in vitamin B12-deficient wild-type N2 and in transgenic CL2355 Caenorhabditis elegans expressing amyloid-β peptide. Our data indicated that mogrosides have a beneficial effect on the lifespan and egg-laying rate of N2 and vitamin B12-deficient N2 worms. Additionally, the results revealed that mogrosides can effectively delay the paralysis of CL2355 worms as determined by serotonin sensitivity assay. Our analysis showed that mogrosides increase the expression of oxidative protective genes in N2 worms fed with vitamin B12-deficient OP50 bacterium. We conclude that mogrosides may exert preventative rather than curative effects that counteract the detrimental vitamin B12-deficient environment in N2 and CL2355 C. elegans by modulating oxidation-related gene expression.
Velocity mismatch limits in semiconductor lasers and amplifiers

As modulation bandwidths for semiconductor lasers continue to increase, distributed effects become more important. The velocity mismatch between the optical field and the microwave field has long been known to be an important limit to the bandwidth of modulators, but this effect has so far been ignored in lasers and amplifiers. However, with bandwidths above 40 GHz lasers are now operating in a regime where the wavelength of the microwave field is comparable to the length of the device. Consequently, we can no longer treat the device as a lumped element, but have to consider the propagation effects, i.e. velocity mismatch and microwave propagation loss. In this work we use a simple numerical model to investigate the bandwidth limits set by the velocity mismatch, and compare the performance to that of the ideal, velocity matched case.
Unilateral Autoimmune Encephalitis: A Case Report on a Rare Manifestation of Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein Antibody Disease

Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG)-associated disease (MOGAD) is a rare, antibody-mediated inflammatory demyelinating disorder of the central nervous system (CNS) that has varying phenotypes. FLAIR (fluid-attenuated inversion recovery)-hyperintense Lesions in Anti-MOG-associated Encephalitis with Seizures (FLAMES) is a much rarer manifestation of cortical encephalitis encountered in MOGAD. We report a rare case of a nine-year-old girl who presented with a drop in her academic performance and right-sided Epilepsia partialis continua. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain detected evidence for unilateral (left) cortical encephalitis with peri-ictal juxtacortical edema. An electroencephalogram revealed a hemi-generalized poly spike and wave discharges in the left hemisphere, several of which correlated with myoclonic jerks. The cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis was normal. Autoimmune workup resulted in a positive serum MOG-immunoglobulin G (IgG), which confirmed the diagnosis of FLAMES. The child showed an excellent clinical response to intravenous methylprednisolone and intravenous immunoglobulins therapy.
A demonstration of rotating sound waves in free space and the transfer of their angular momentum to matter

We describe an apparatus for generating rotating sound waves in free space by superimposing two orthogonal standing modes with a quarter wave phase lag. The creation of a standing wave from the superposition of two counter-rotating waves is also possible with the same apparatus. The experiment permits direct measurement of both the amplitude and phase structure of the sound waves. A demonstration of angular momentum transfer from rotating acoustic waves to matter in free field is also described.
Real Representation of the Polarimetric Scattering Matrix for Monostatic Radar

Synthetic aperture radar with polarimetric diversity is a powerful tool in remote sensing. Each pixel is described by the scattering matrix corresponding to the emission/reception polarization states (usually horizontal and vertical). The algebraic real representation, a block symmetric matrix form, is introduced to adopt a more comprehensive framework (non-restricted by reciprocity assumptions) in mapping the scattering matrix by the consimilarity equivalence relation. The proposed representation can reveal potentially new information. For example, its eigenvalue decomposition, which is itself a necessary step in obtaining the consimilarity transformation products, may be useful in characterizing the degree of reciprocity/nonreciprocity. As a consequence, it can be employed in testing the reciprocity compliance assumed with monostatic PolSAR data. Full-wave simulated polarimetric data confirm that oriented scatterers can present complex eigenvalues, even with the monostatic geometry.
Radar target imaging by rotation about two axes

Analysis of the output of a coherent radar observing a model target rotated about two axes yields a 2-dimensional image of the target in the cross-range plane. A simple visualisation of the process is presented, and the basic relationships governing the performance are derived. It is shown that a variety of nonimaging functions may also be provided for use in special situations.
Variability as a functional marker of second language development in older adult learners

Abstract This longitudinal study with time-serial data examines for the first time whether different types of intraindividual variation in second language (L2) performance and cognitive functioning are related, and how and when they influence L2 development longitudinally in older adulthood. We analyzed the L2 development of 26 German-speaking adults aged 62–79 who were taught L2 English for 2 × 90 minutes per week over 6 months. At each of the 15 measurements, the participants completed three L2 tasks and eight cognitive measures, and they answered open-ended questions about socioaffective variables such as L2 motivation. Results of generalized additive mixed models and qualitative content analyses showed, inter alia, that L2 variability—rather than inconsistency or dispersion—had a (nonlinear) effect on L2 growth, being especially large during periods of rapid development. The qualitative analyses revealed a blended operation of internal and external states being associated with periods of significant L2 growth.
New stability and stabilization methods for nonlinear systems with time‐varying delays

This paper establishes new robust delay‐dependent stability and stabilization methods for a class of nominally linear continuous‐time systems with time‐varying delays. The parameter uncertainties are convex‐bounded and the unknown nonlinearities are time‐varying perturbations satisfying Lipschitz conditions in the state and delayed state. An appropriate Lyapunov functional is constructed to exhibit the delay‐dependent dynamics via descriptor format. Delay‐dependent stability analysis is performed to characterize linear matrix inequalities (LMIs)‐based conditions under which the nominally linear delay system is robustly asymptotically stable with a γ‐level ℒ︁2‐gain. Then we design delay‐dependent feedback stabilization schemes: a static one based on state‐measurements and a dynamic one based on observer‐based output feedback. In both schemes, the closed‐loop feedback system enjoys the delay‐dependent asymptotic stability with a prescribed γ‐level ℒ︁2‐gain. The feedback gains are determined by convex optimization over LMIs. All the developed results are tested on a representative example. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Characterization of Influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 Viruses Isolated in the 2018–2019 and 2019–2020 Influenza Seasons in Japan

The influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 virus that emerged in 2009 causes seasonal epidemic worldwide. The virus acquired several amino acid substitutions that were responsible for antigenic drift until the 2018–2019 influenza season. Viruses possessing mutations in the NA and PA proteins that cause reduced susceptibility to NA inhibitors and baloxavir marboxil, respectively, have been detected after antiviral treatment, albeit infrequently. Here, we analyzed HA, NA, and PA sequences derived from A(H1N1)pdm09 viruses that were isolated during the 2018–2019 and 2019–2020 influenza seasons in Japan. We found that A(H1N1)pdm09 viruses possessing the D187A and Q189E substitutions in HA emerged and dominated during the 2019–2020 season; these substitutions in the antigenic site Sb, a high potency neutralizing antibody-eliciting site for humans, changed the antigenicity of A(H1N1)pdm09 viruses. Furthermore, we found that isolates possessing the N156K substitution, which was predicted to affect the antigenicity of A(H1N1)pdm09 virus at the laboratory level, were detected at a frequency of 1.0% in the 2018–2019 season but 10.1% in the 2019–2020 season. These findings indicate that two kinds of antigenically drifted viruses—N156K and D187A/Q189E viruses—co-circulated during the 2019–2020 influenza season in Japan.