Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Protection From Retinopathy and Other Complications in Patients With Type 1 Diabetes of Extreme Duration

OBJECTIVE To assess complication prevalence and identify protective factors in patients with diabetes duration of ≥50 years. Characterization of a complication-free subgroup in this cohort would suggest that some individuals are protected from diabetes complications and allow identification of endogenous protective factors. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Cross-sectional, observational study of 351 U.S. residents who have survived with type 1 diabetes for ≥50 years (Medalists). Retinopathy, nephropathy, neuropathy, and cardiovascular disease were assessed in relation to HbA1c, lipids, and advanced glycation end products (AGEs). Retrospective chart review provided longitudinal ophthalmic data for a subgroup. RESULTS A high proportion of Medalists remain free from proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) (42.6%), nephropathy (86.9%), neuropathy (39.4%), or cardiovascular disease (51.5%). Current and longitudinal (the past 15 years) glycemic control were unrelated to complications. Subjects with high plasma carboxyethyl-lysine and pentosidine were 7.2-fold more likely to have any complication. Of Medalists without PDR, 96% with no retinopathy progression over the first 17 years of follow-up did not experience retinopathy worsening thereafter. CONCLUSIONS The Medalist population is likely enriched for protective factors against complications. These factors might prove useful to the general population with diabetes if they can be used to induce protection against long-term complications. Specific AGE combinations were strongly associated with complications, indicating a link between AGE formation or processing with development of diabetic vasculopathy.
Contribution of quantitative ecological methods to the interpretation of stratigraphically homogeneous pre-Quaternary sediments; a palynological example from the Oligocene of Venezuela

This paper deals with an Oligocene section that is stratigraphically homogeneous from both a lithological and palynological point of view. It has been impossible to subdivide it into discrete units, using either taxon-range analysis or assemblage-zone approach based on the relative abundance of palynomorphs. Furthermore, the common multivariate numerical methods used so far with success in the region (Cluster Analysis, Principal Components Analysis, etc.) gave no useful results in this case. The search for cyclicity using palynocycles and ecologs has been also unsuccessful. Instead of considering the section of low interest, an alternative, high-resolution ecological approach was attempted to extract the information contained in these sediments. Paleoecological trends were deduced from statistical methods commonly used in modern and Quaternary ecology, mainly TWINSPAN and gradient analysis, combined with diversity analysis. As a result, the fine-scale stratigraphic variability of the data could be successfully explained in terms of paleoecological succession taking place in upper delta environments, characterised by a complex mosaic vegetation including morichales , herbaceous fern swamps, and gallery forests. The succession could be reconstructed in detail, and would be of indirect stratigraphic value for high-resolution correlation. This is an example of how the search for narrow or biased objectives can hidden significant information. It is more fruitful to have a wider perspective, and to be open to any information that sediments can provide us, without a priori limitations.
Antioxidants Activity and Color Evaluation of Date Fruit of Selected Cultivars Commercially Available in the United States

Dates (Phoenix dactylifera L.) are nutrient-rich fruit consumed throughout the world, either directly or in several food products. Six commercially available date cultivars in the US were analyzed for total phenolics, antioxidant activity using ABTS, DPPH, FRAP, and ORAC assays, and instrumental color. Total phenolics content varied from 33 to 125 mg GAE/100 g dry weight, with the highest in Barni (Saudi Arabia). Antioxidant values as determined by the ABTS in Deglet Nour (Algeria), Deglet Nour (California), Deglet Noor (Tunisia), Shahia (Tunisia), Barni (Saudi Arabia), and Khudri (Saudi Arabia) were 1300, 1047, 796, 452, 776, and 341 μmol TE/g dry weight, respectively. Antioxidative properties as measure by DPPH, FRAP, and ORAC varied from 3.27 to 3.54, 3.29 to 5.22, and 189 to 243 μmol TE/g dry basis, respectively. Fruit and pulp color of Deglet Nour (Algeria) was lighter whereas pulp of Barni (Saudi Arabia) was the darkest. Antioxidant values varied with different techniques used and also followed a different pattern than that of phenolics content.
Wave-driven circulation in a coastal bay during the landfall of a hurricane

[1] A coupled wave/flow model was used to simulate the currents in a coastal bay during the landfall of a hurricane with large waves. Extensive wave breaking along the shoreline and over a midbay shoal induced the development of a strong mean circulation in the bay, in combination with currents forced by wind, tide, and storm surge. The general circulation pattern consisted of inflows along the shoreline and over the shoal region that were driven by radiation stress gradients, and outflows due to mass balance of the wave-driven inflow that were observed in deeper channels. The predicted currents agreed with observations only when wave forcing was included in the circulation model. Wave-driven flows accounted for over 50% of the high flushing rates during the storm and induced strong horizontal velocity gradients over short (∼200 m) length scales.
Simulations of three‐dimensional Langmuir circulation in water of constant density

Simulations of Langmuir circulation with constant eddy viscosity that reveal considerable levels of spatial and temporal complexity are reported. In field observations, the simulations could be interpreted as evidence of vacillation in space and time of measured features in the circulation system, and of the presence of defect structures in the windrow patterns in which the local spacing changes by a factor of 2 in a distance short compared to the windrow spacing. The results also suggest that the ratio of downwind jet speed to downwelling speeds (pitch) can be highly variable and is not a robust feature of Langmuir circulations.
Oxygen Isotopic and Petrographic Evidence Relevant to the Origin of the Arkansas Novaculite

ABSTRACT O18 values for 73 chert samples from the Arkansas Novaculite (Devonian-Mississippian) range from + 17.8 to 33.7. Much of this variation is related to the effects of local metamorphism and isotopic impurities such as detrital quartz and clay minerals. Pure, unrecrystallized samples from the western outcrops in Oklahoma range from 30.3 to 33.7, whereas samples from Arkansas range from 25.1 to 29.7. As a group, west rn outcrops of the Novaculite are distinctly richer in O18. Petrographic and SEM examination of the O18-rich western samples reveal well preserved early diagenetic textures including abundant relict opal-CT lepispheres (now replaced by microquartz). Radiolaria and sponge spicules show well preserved morphologies. One western sample yielding the highest -value is microbrecciated, contains abundant dolomite rhombs and is laced with quartzine (length-slow chalcedony) suggesting silicification under evaporitic conditions. Samples from eastern localities display no evidence of early diagenetic textures, and radiolaria and sponge spicules are preserved only as petrographic ghosts. The isotopic and petrographic data can be interpreted in terms of a siliceous biogenic ooze deposited in environments ranging from supratidal to open marine. Shallow (platform? ) deposition occurred in western areas with early silicification contributing to the preservation of diagenetic textures. Assuming that O18 of the diagenetic waters was within 1 of seawater the higher -values in the west reflect chert crystallization at isotopic temperatures of 20° to 29° C. The lower -values in the east suggest chert crystallization during deeper burial at isoto ic temperatures of 31° to 53° C, similar to burial diagenesis in Tertiary deep sea cherts.
Accumulation of copper, lead and arsenic in some Australian orchard soils

A survey was made of copper, lead and arsenic in 98 surface soils from orchards in South Australia and Tasmania and the distribution of these elements in six representative soil profiles was studied. Copper, lead and arsenic have accumulated in the soils due to the use of sprays. Concentrations were found which were 25-35 times greater than background values. Investigation of the profiles indicated that copper and lead have been strongly retained in the upper parts of the profiles, but arsenic can be lost. Possible mechanisms for loss of arsenic are discussed. Copper and lead extracted by DTPA and EDTA were highly correlated with 'total' concentrations determined on aqua regia digests. No relationships were evident between the concentrations of copper, lead and arsenic in former orchard soils and the concentrations in ryegrass and white clover.
Core‐mantle boundary topography estimated from numerical simulations of instantaneous mantle flow

Core‐mantle boundary (CMB) topography is estimated from numerical simulations of instantaneous mantle flow in a three‐dimensional spherical shell geometry. Density anomaly models of the Earth's mantle are derived from geodynamic models constrained principally by seismic tomography results. To account for the small (±∼1.5 km) CMB topographic relief inferred from recent seismological results, lateral viscosity variations in the mantle, compositionally dense piles in the deep mantle, and a low‐viscosity D″ layer are all required for the numerical models. Low‐viscosity subducting slabs in the lower mantle serve to reduce the topographic amplitude below high‐velocity regions (i.e., the circum‐Pacific belt). The existence of dense piles may cause the local topographic depressions even below low‐velocity regions (i.e., the South Pacific and Atlantic Africa regions).
Time of initial thrusting in the Sevier orogenic belt, Idaho-Wyoming and Utah

Reexamination of the distribution of fossils found in the earliest preserved synorogenic conglomerates within the Sevier thrust belt suggests that initial thrust movement may be no older than Aptian age. This interpretation is corroborated by subsidence analyses of sedimentary sequences lying within and east of the Idaho-Wyoming and Utah thrust belts. A major episode of middle Cretaceous (Aptian–Cenomanian) subsidence is interpreted as recording the initiation of thrust loading deformation in the adjacent Sevier orogenic belt. An earlier subsidence event took place during Middle Jurassic time, more than 30 m.y. prior to the Cretaceous event, and may be the result of tectonic events to the west that are unrelated to thrust deformation in the Idaho-Wyoming and Utah thrust belts. We find no verifiable evidence to support previous interpretations that Sevier belt deformation and uplift began in Late Jurassic time.
Aseismic slow slip on an inland active fault triggered by a nearby shallow event, the 2008 Iwate‐Miyagi Nairiku earthquake (Mw6.8)

Using GPS observations, we have detected an aseismic slip event on the intraplate Dedana Fault that was triggered by the Iwate‐Miyagi Nairiku earthquake (Mw6.8, 13 Jun 2008 UTC) on a nearby but separate fault. The observations cannot be satisfactorily explained in terms of either viscoelastic relaxation or poroelastic rebound, and we cannot explain the observed displacement time series without presuming that aseismic slip occurred on the Dedana Fault. This slip was likely triggered by the mainshock stress change. The detection of future such aseismic slip events on intraplate faults is likely to require denser geodetic networks than are currently in operation, but is important for fully characterizing the seismic hazard associated with intraplate earthquakes.
The vestibular implant: Opinion statement on implantation criteria for research

This opinion statement proposes a set of candidacy criteria for vestibular implantation of adult patients with bilateral vestibulopathy (BVP) in a research setting. The criteria include disabling chronic symptoms like postural imbalance, unsteadiness of gait and/or head movement-induced oscillopsia, combined with objective signs of reduced or absent vestibular function in both ears. These signs include abnormal test results recorded during head impulses (video head impulse test or scleral coil technique), bithermal caloric testing and rotatory chair testing (sinusoidal stimulation of 0.1 Hz). Vestibular implant (VI) implantation criteria are not the same as diagnostic criteria for bilateral vestibulopathy. The major difference between VI-implantation criteria and the approved diagnostic criteria for BVP are that all included vestibular tests of semicircular canal function (head impulse test, caloric test, and rotatory chair test) need to show significant impairments of vestibular function in the implantation criteria. For this, a two-step paradigm was developed. First, at least one of the vestibular tests needs to fulfill stringent criteria, close to those for BVP. If this is applicable, then the other vestibular tests have to fulfill a second set of criteria which are less stringent than the original criteria for BVP. If the VI-implantation is intended to excite the utricle and/or saccule (otolith stimulation), responses to cervical and ocular vestibular evoked myogenic potentials must be absent in addition to the above mentioned abnormalities of semicircular canal function. Finally, requirements for safe and potentially effective stimulation should be met, including implanting patients with BVP of peripheral origin only, and assessing possible medical and psychiatric contraindications.
New Tris(hydroxypyridinone) Bifunctional Chelators Containing Isothiocyanate Groups Provide a Versatile Platform for Rapid One-Step Labeling and PET Imaging with 68Ga3+

Two new bifunctional tris(hydroxypyridinone) (THP) chelators designed specifically for rapid labeling with 68Ga have been synthesized, each with pendant isothiocyanate groups and three 1,6-dimethyl-3-hydroxypyridin-4-one groups. Both compounds have been conjugated with the primary amine group of a cyclic integrin targeting peptide, RGD. Each conjugate can be radiolabeled and formulated by treatment with generator-produced 68Ga3+ in over 95% radiochemical yield under ambient conditions in less than 5 min, with specific activities of 60–80 MBq nmol–1. Competitive binding assays and in vivo biodistribution in mice bearing U87MG tumors demonstrate that the new 68Ga3+-labeled THP peptide conjugates retain affinity for the αvβ3 integrin receptor, clear within 1–2 h from circulation, and undergo receptor-mediated tumor uptake in vivo. We conclude that bifunctional THP chelators can be used for simple, efficient labeling of 68Ga biomolecules under mild conditions suitable for peptides and proteins.
A high-resolution late Holocene lake isotope record from Turkey and links to North Atlantic and monsoon climate

A high resolution proxy record of precipitation and evaporation variability through the past 1700 yr from δ18O analysis of a varved lake sequence from central Turkey shows rapid shifts between dry periods (AD 300–500 and AD 1400–1950) and wetter intervals (AD 560–750 and AD 1000–1350). Changes are consistent with changes in instrumental and proxy records of the Indian monsoon, dry summers in the Eastern Mediterranean being associated with periods of enhanced monsoon rainfall. In addition major shifts in the record are coherent with changes in North Atlantic winter climate with cold, wet periods in the Alps occurring at times of dry Turkish climate.
Observation of topological Hall torque exerted on a domain wall in the ferromagnetic oxide SrRuO3

In a ferromagnetic Weyl metal SrRuO3, a large effective magnetic field Heff exerted on a magnetic domain wall (DW) by current has been reported. We show that the ratio of Heff to current density exhibits nonmonotonic temperature dependence and surpasses those of conventional spin-transfer torques and spin-orbit torques. This enhancement is described well by topological Hall torque (THT), which is exerted on a DW by Weyl electrons emerging around Weyl points when an electric field is applied across the DW. The ratio of the Heff arising from the THT to current density is over one order of magnitude higher than that originating from spin-transfer torques and spin-orbit torques reported in metallic systems, showing that the THT may provide a better way for energy-efficient manipulation of magnetization in spintronics devices.
Aerosol optical depth over the Baltic Sea derived from AERONET and SeaWiFS measurements

Three years of data on aerosol optical depth (τa) from the Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET) station on the island of Gotland in the Baltic Sea have been analysed and compared with Sea‐viewing Wide Field of view Sensor (SeaWiFS) data. Normally, the atmosphere over Gotland could be considered as clear, with a daily median value of τa at 500 nm of about 0.08. The median value of Ångström's wavelength exponent (α) for wavelengths between 440 nm and 870 nm was 1.37, indicating that the dominant aerosol is more of a continental than of a pure maritime type. SeaWiFS GAC level 2 data on τa and α were compared to data from the ground‐based AERONET station. For the 37 cases of simultaneous satellite and ground‐based measurements under cloud‐free skies it was found that, on average, the value of τa(865 nm) from SeaWiFS was about 0.02 higher than τa(870 nm) from the AERONET station. At the same time approximate τa(440 nm) from SeaWiFS was about 0.03 lower than τa(440 nm) of AERONET. α(510, 865) from SeaWiFS was, on average, 1.2 lower than α(500, 870) from the AERONET measurements. These results cannot explain the very frequent occurences of negative values of normalized water‐leaving radiance at 412 nm and 443 nm in the SeaWiFS reprocessing #3 data.
A joint analysis of modeled soil moisture fields and satellite observations

A methodology to conduct a joint analysis of modeled soil moisture fields from the Joint UK Land Environment Simulator (JULES) and a data set of multiwavelength observations is presented. It consists of building a statistical model capturing the relationships between the land surface model estimates and the satellite observations, and then using the satellite observations (mapped into soil moisture predictions by the statistical model) to evaluate the fields estimated by the land surface model. Two statistical models are tested and predict very similar soil moisture (global correlation and root‐mean‐square deviation (RMSD) of ~ 0.98 and ~ 0.02 m3/m3). A characterization of prediction uncertainty shows errors ranging between 0.01 and 0.10 m3/m3, depending on biome and season. The satellite prediction and JULES soil moisture agree relatively well (global correlation and RMSD of ~ 0.92 and ~ 0.05 m3/m3), but for some regions and periods, clear differences exist. Conducted tests modifying either the predicted soil moisture or the JULES estimates show that this methodology can effectively change soil moisture toward more correct values. It can then be expected that some of the differences are the result of the satellite information modifying the modeled soil moisture fields toward more realistic values. However, proving this is difficult given the present uncertainties in modeled and observed global soil moisture products.
IFT81 as a Candidate Gene for Nonsyndromic Retinal Degeneration

Purpose IFT81, a core component of the IFT-B complex, involved in the bidirectional transport of ciliary proteins, has been recently implicated in syndromic ciliopathies. However, none of the IFT-B core complex proteins have been associated with nonsyndromic retinal dystrophies. Given the importance of ciliary transport in photoreceptor function and structural maintenance, we sought to investigate the impact of IFT (intraflagellar transport) mutations in nonsyndromic retinopathies. Methods Whole exome sequencing was performed on 50 cone-rod dystrophy (CRD) patients that were previously screened for mutations in known retinal disease genes. The impact of candidate mutation was studied using in vitro cell system and in vivo zebrafish assay to determine the pathogenicity of the variant. Results Compound heterozygous mutations in IFT81, including one nonsense (c.1213C>T, p.R405*) and one missense variant (c.1841T>C, p.L614P), were identified in a nonsyndromic CRD proband. Extensive functional analyses of the missense variant in cell culture and zebrafish strongly suggests its pathogenic nature. Loss of IFT81 impairs ciliogenesis and, interestingly, the missense variant displayed significantly reduced rescue of ciliogenesis in the IFT81 knockdown in vitro system. Consistently, dramatic reduction of rescue efficiency of the ift81 mutant zebrafish embryo by mRNA with the missense variant was observed, further supporting its pathogenicity. Conclusions Consistent with the function of the IFT-B complex in the maintenance of photoreceptor cilium, we report a case of mutations in a core IFT-B protein, IFT81. This represents the first report of mutations in IFT81 as a candidate gene for nonsyndromic retinal dystrophy, hence expanding the phenotype spectrum of IFT-B components.
Mixing entropy analysis of dispersal of aircraft emissions in the lower stratosphere

A trajectory calculation is used to compare the characteristic time for northern midlatitude aircraft emissions to disperse during both summer and winter. The mixing process is summarized by the time evolution of the “mixing entropy,” which is proportional to the number of ways of partitioning N parcels over M equal area subregions of the hemisphere. The mixing entropy is a measure of the disorder in the parcel distribution and quantifies the approach to a spatially uniform state as time increases. We show that the time for a single release of exhaust to become mixed down to length scales of the order of 800 km is about 2 months in winter and at least 4 months in summer. We also examine the time evolution of the mixing entropy of emissions from a continuous source over two 6-month periods starting in January and June. For a single continuous source, which represents a persistent and highly asymmetric perturbation, we find that the horizontal distribution of the total emissions reaches a mixing steady state in 6–8 months. On this timescale the mixing entropy is close to the maximum value, and the likelihood of large temporal fluctuations becomes small. The dependence of the mixing on the location of the source and the effect of multiple flight paths on the overall uniformity of the spatial distribution is also considered.
Corografías contemporáneas de granada. La investigación a través del dibujo y sus resultados inesperados

Architectural drawing has always been used as a tool of expression as well as for study and exploration. The aim of this research work is to find an approach to chart chorographies of the historic urban landscape of Granada by using current cartographic techniques. In relation to this, it was critical to study the methodology of a chorographer from the Renaissence such as Anton van den Wyngaerde. When we first outlined the way of tracing these chorographies, an unexpected result came up. Setting the topography as a fundamental element in the urban configuration of Granada, we began to realize that the main hills upon which Granada is set converge at the same place: the Cathedral. To be more precise, they do so on the supposed location of the Turpiana Tower, the minaret of the old Main Mosque. This discovery may lead to a new contribution to the debate about the city and its landscape.