Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The development of travelling waves in a simple isothermal chemical system III. Cubic and mixed autocatalysis

Autocatalytic chemical reactions can support isothermal travelling waves of constant speed and form. This paper extends previous studies to cubic autocatalysis and to mixed systems where quadratic and cubic autocatalyses occur concurrently. A + B → 2B, rate = kq ab, (1) A + 2B → 3B, rate = kc ab2. (2) For pure cubic autocatalysis the wave has, at large times, a constant asymptotic speed v0 (where v0 = 1/√2 in the appropriate dimensionless units). This result is confirmed by numerical investigation of the initial-value problem. Perturbations to this stable wave-speed decay at long times as t-3/2e-1/8t. The mixed system is governed by a non-dimensional parameter μ =kq/kc a0 which measures the relative rates of transformation by quadratic and cubic modes. In the mixed case (μ ≠ 0) the reaction-diffusion wave has a form appropriate to a purely cubic autocatalysis so long as μ lies between ½ and 0. When μ exceeds ½, the reaction wave loses its symmetrical form, and all its properties steadily approach those of quadratic autocatalysis. The value μ = ½ is the value at which rates of conversion by the two paths are equal.
Quick on Your Feet: Modifying the Star Excursion Balance Test with a Cognitive Motor Response Time Task

The Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT) is a common assessment used across clinical and research settings to test dynamic standing balance. The primary measure of this test is maximal reaching distance performed by the non-stance limb. Response time (RT) is a critical cognitive component of dynamic balance control and the faster the RT, the better the postural control and recovery from a postural perturbation. However, the measure of RT has not been done in conjunction with SEBT, especially with musculoskeletal fatigue. The purpose of this study is to examine RT during a SEBT, creating a modified SEBT (mSEBT), with a secondary goal to examine the effects of muscular fatigue on RT during SEBT. Sixteen healthy young male and female adults [age: 20 ± 1 years; height: 169.48 ± 8.2 cm; weight: 67.93 ± 12.7 kg] performed the mSEBT in five directions for three trials, after which the same was repeated with a response time task using Blazepod™ with a random stimulus. Participants then performed a low-intensity musculoskeletal fatigue task and completed the above measures again. A 2 × 2 × 3 repeated measures ANOVA was performed to test for differences in mean response time across trials, fatigue states, and leg reach as within-subjects factors. All statistical analyses were conducted in JASP at an alpha level of 0.05. RT was significantly faster over the course of testing regardless of reach leg or fatigue state (p = 0.023). Trial 3 demonstrated significantly lower RT compared to Trial 1 (p = 0.021). No significant differences were found between fatigue states or leg reach. These results indicate that response times during the mSEBT with RT is a learned skill that can improve over time. Future research should include an extended familiarization period to remove learning effects and a greater fatigue state to test for differences in RT during the mSEBT.
Variability of Surface Air Temperature over Gently Sloped Terrain

Abstract Temperature and wind data from a rural micronet and nearby site of the Oklahoma Mesonet are analyzed to study the frequency, strength, and formation processes of cold-pool events in a region with gentle terrain. Spatial analyses were performed for a 2-yr-long temperature record from 26 temperature/humidity surface stations, deployed across a 120 m × 320 m micronet located in a region of gently sloped terrain with maximum elevation changes of ∼25 m. Cold pools frequently formed at the base of a gentle slope in a small depression of only ∼6-m depth that is also sheltered by trees. The strength of each cold-pool event was classified according to a cold-pool index based on average nocturnal temperature perturbations within the cold-pool region. Wind data collected with sonic anemometers on a 15-m-tall tower at the micronet for a period of three months (spring 2005) suggest that flow sheltering by vegetation plays an important role in the cold-pool formation. The wind data also show signatures of kata.
Switching Frequency Limited Hysteresis Based Voltage Mode Control of Single-Phase Voltage Source Inverters

This paper proposes a new control strategy for single-phase voltage source inverters that does not rely on switching based on Pulse Width Modulation. The technique is similar to conventional current hysteresis control, but instead of the output current, the low-pass-filtered inverter output voltage is utilised as the feedback signal. Nevertheless, the switching instants are not determined by a predefined band, but rather by a low-cost Complex Programmable Logic Device (CPLD)-based control logic, which ensures a nearly constant switching frequency. Similar to hysteresis-based control methods, the proposed method ensures a rapid dynamic response. Notable characteristics of the proposed method include a quick dynamic response, a well-defined harmonic spectrum, and an improved total harmonic distortion (THD), particularly during load current and source voltage changes. The proposed method is implemented on a 1 kW, 230 V, 50 Hz prototype. Simulation and experimental results are presented to validate the proposed concept, which demonstrates a superior dynamic response and enhanced THD during load and source voltage variations.
Aptamers Enhance Oncolytic Viruses’ Antitumor Efficacy

Oncolytic viruses are highly promising for cancer treatment because they target and lyse tumor cells. These genetically engineered vectors introduce therapeutic or immunostimulatory genes into the tumor. However, viral therapy is not always safe and effective. Several problems are related to oncolytic viruses’ targeted delivery to the tumor and immune system neutralization in the bloodstream. Cryoprotection and preventing viral particles from aggregating during storage are other critical issues. Aptamers, short RNA, or DNA oligonucleotides may help to crawl through this bottleneck. They are not immunogenic, are easily synthesized, can be chemically modified, and are not very demanding in storage conditions. It is possible to select an aptamer that specifically binds to any target cell, oncolytic virus, or molecule using the SELEX technology. This review comprehensively highlights the most important research and methodological approaches related to oncolytic viruses and nucleic acid aptamers. Here, we also analyze possible future research directions for combining these two methodologies to improve the effectiveness of cancer virotherapy.
Clouds with silver linings: how mobilization shapes the impact of coups on democratization

There is a long-standing debate over the impact of coups on democratization. Some argue that coups can help promote transitions to democratic rule. Yet, others contend that coups often spur increased repression and autocratization, undermining hopes of democratic reform. We argue that both democratic and autocratic changes are more likely after a coup and that popular mobilization plays a crucial role in shaping the post-coup trajectory. Democratization is more likely when coups occur in the presence of significant popular mobilization. A coup reveals cracks within a regime, and the combination of pressure from within and threat from below during popular mobilizations fosters greater incentives to promise democratic reform. In the absence of popular mobilization, autocratic rule is more likely, especially when a coup is successful. We test our argument on the combined effect of popular mobilization and coups on changes in democracy in a global dataset, considering the specific dates of events and institutional changes, the outcomes of coups, and using decay functions to capture persistent effects. The analysis provides strong support for our argument, with the key findings robust across a number of alternative tests. Our analysis underscores the value of examining variation in the context of coups to understand their likely political consequences.
Normal Modes in Hexagonal Boron Nitride

This research from the Tyco Laboratories, Inc. was sponsored by AFCRL under Contract No. AF 19(628)-2845. This work from the Spectroscopy Laboratory, MIT, was supported in part by the National Science Foundation, Grant number GP-2111. This work from the Research Laboratory of Electronics, MIT, was supported in part by the Joint Services Electronics Program under contract DA 36-039-AMC-03200(E).
IL-15 deficiency promotes accelerated colitis upon expansion of CD4+ T cells (P1231)

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are idiopathic chronic inflammatory disorders affecting small intestine and/or colon. One of established animal models of IBD can be induced by adoptive transfer of naïve CD4+T lymphocytes from healthy wild type mice into syngeneic recipients lacking T and B cells (RAGko mice). IBD is becoming an attractive field of research for development of new therapeutic agents, including cytokines involved in intestinal inflammation. The clinical relevance of a pleiotropic cytokine IL-15, which shares some similarities with IL-2 and IL-21, was already demonstrated for rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis and suggested for IBD. In our study, we observed that adoptive transfers of wild type CD4+ T cells result in accelerated manifestation of IBD symptoms, i.e. remarkable body weight loss, rectal bleeding and diarrhoea when recipient mice are IL-15-deficient (IL-15koRAGko). Histologically, colitic IL-15koRAGko mice demonstrate marked infiltration of CD4+ T cells in the colon together with mucosal surface distortion and gland atrophy. Activation of CD4+ T cells transferred into IL-15-deficient mice positively correlates with enhanced IL-17 production and accumulation of neutrophils and lineage-negative cells at the site of inflammation. At the same time the frequency of regulatory T cells (CD4+CD25+Foxp3+) significantly decreases in colitic IL-15koRAGko, which addresses a question of unbalanced Treg function in colitis developed upon IL-15 deficiency.
Far-infrared (120-300 micron) observations of the Carina Nebula

The Carina nebula has been observed in a 120-300 µm band with a 100 cm balloon-borne telescope, and maps have been generated with a spatial resolution of ~1'. More than thirty compact sources were detected in the ~0.5 deg 2 area scanned; many of these sources do not have IRAS PSC Point source Catalog counterparts. The diffuse emission accounts for nearly half of the total emission in the band. A comparison with observations at other wavelengths shows that the far-infrared emission is well correlated with other tracers of matter. The region appears to be rich in massive stars and most of the compact far-infrared sources are likely to be dust-gas clumps heated externally by these stars.
Anti-alpha-toxin immunoprohylaxis reduces disease severity against a Staphylococcus aureus full-thickness skin wound infection in immunocompetent and diabetic mice

Staphylococcus aureus infection is a major complication of acute and chronic skin wounds that delays wound closure and healing. These infections are particularly problematic in diabetic foot ulcers as the infection can become invasive, leading to osteomyelitis that often necessitates limb amputation. Prior reports in S. aureus skin infection models have indicated that neutralizing S. aureus alpha-toxin decreases disease severity by reducing skin lesion size and restoring an appropriate host immune response, however whether alpha-toxin neutralization impacts S. aureus-infected skin wounds is not clear, especially in the setting of diabetes. Herein, we evaluated the efficacy of MEDI4893* a neutralizing human anti-alpha-toxin monoclonal antibody (mAb) in a S. aureus skin wound infection model. Three full-thickness cuts were made on the back skin of wildtype (wt) C57BL/6 and diabetic (TallyHo) mice and the cuts inoculated with a bioluminescent methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) strain. In both WT and diabetic mice, prophylaxis with MEDI4893* resulted in a significant reduction in skin lesion sizes, decreased bacterial burden, improved re-epithelialization, and a decreased percentage of neutrophils and an increased percentage of macrophages in the skin compared with control mAb treatment. Thus, in S. aureus-infected skin wounds, anti-alpha-toxin mAb treatment reduced disease severity by not only inhibiting dermonecrosis but also by resolving neutrophilic inflammation.
Abundances in the Planetary Nebula IC 5217

High-resolution optical wavelength spectroscopic data were secured in the optical wavelengths, 3700–10050 Å, for the planetary nebula IC 5217 with the Hamilton Echelle Spectrograph at Lick Observatory. These optical spectra have been analyzed along with the near-UV and UV archive data. Diagnostic analyses indicate a nebular physical condition with electron temperature of about 10,700 K (from the [O III] lines) and the density of Nϵ = 5000 cm-1. Ionic concentrations have been derived with the representative diagnostics, and with the aid of a photoionization model construction, we derived the elemental abundances. Contrary to the previous studies found in the literature, He and C appear to be depleted compared to the average planetary nebula and to the Sun (and S marginally so), while the remaining elements appear to be close to the average value. IC 5217 may have evolved from an O-rich progenitor, and the central star temperature of IC 5217 is likely to be 92,000 K.
Motion statistics at the saccade landing point: attentional capture by spatiotemporal features in a gaze-contingent reference

Motion is known to play a fundamental role in attentional capture, still it is not always included in computational models of visual attention. A wealth of literature in the past years has investigated natural image statistics at the centre of gaze to assess static low-level features accounting for fixation capture on images. A motion counterpart describing which features trigger saccades on dynamic scenes has been less looked into, whereas it would provide significant insight on the visuomotor behaviour when attending to events instead of less realistic still images. Such knowledge would be paramount to devise active vision systems that can spot interesting or malicious activities and disregard less relevant patterns. In this paper, we present an analysis of spatiotemporal features at the future centre of gaze to extract possible regularities in the fixation distribution to contrast with the feature distribution of non-fixated points. A substantial novelty in the methodology is the evaluation of the features in a gaze-contingent reference. Each video sequence fragment is indeed foveated with respect to the current fixation, while features are collected at the next saccade landing point. This allows us to estimate covertly selected motion cues in a retinotopic fashion. We consider video sequences and eye-tracking data from a recent state-of-the art dataset and test a bottom-up motion saliency measure against human performance. Obtained results can be used to further tune saliency computational models and to learn to predict human fixations on video sequences or generate meaningful shifts of active sensors in real world scenarios.
Differences in the Clinical Characteristics and 1-Year Mortality Rates of Patients with Dermatomyositis with anti-Jo-1 and anti-MDA5 Antibodies

Objective Patients with anti-Jo-1 antibodies (Abs) and anti–melanoma differentiation-associated protein 5 (MDA5) Abs are at a higher risk of interstitial lung disease (ILD) and have a mortality rate higher than that of patients with anti-Jo-1 Abs. This study investigated differences in the clinical characteristics and prognosis of patients with anti-Jo-1 Abs and anti-MDA5 Abs with dermatomyositis (DM). Methods We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 38 patients with DM from January 2000 to December 2021. The patients were divided into anti-Jo-1 Abs and anti-MDA5 Abs groups. The basic demographic data, clinical manifestations, and 1-year mortality rates of the groups were compared. Results Among the 38 patients, 30 were anti-Jo-1-Abs positive and 8 patients were anti-MDA5 Aba positive. The patients with anti-MDA5 Abs presented with more apparent cutaneous symptoms and aggressive pulmonary manifestations than did those with anti-Jo-1 Abs. The mortality rate in the anti-MDA5 Abs group (1.95/person-year (PY)) was much higher than that in anti-Jo-1 Abs group (0.094/PY), and most of the mortalities occurred within the first 1–3 months of follow-up. Conclusion Distinct cutaneous and pulmonary manifestations were observed in the anti-Jo-1 Abs and anti-MDA5 Abs groups. The mortality rate in the anti-MDA5 Abs group was significantly higher than that in the anti-Jo-1 Abs group. Early recognition is crucial to ensuring higher chances of survival for patients with anti-MDA5 Abs.
Reasons for Exclusion From Intravenous Thrombolysis in Acute Ischemic Stroke: Experience From a Moroccan Stroke Unit

Background and objective The rate of intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) is still low due to several absolute and relative contraindications, including admission time delay, which remains the main reason for exclusion from thrombolysis. In this study, we aimed to identify reasons for non-thrombolysis at our stroke center. Methods This retrospective study included all patients with a final diagnosis of AIS as per our stroke prospective register from 2014 to 2019. Reasons for non-thrombolysis were analyzed for all AIS and for patients admitted within 4.5 hours from symptom onset. From 2014 to 2016, a non-contrast CT scan was the unique imaging modality used to decide on performing IVT. In 2017, CT angiography was added to the imaging protocol. Results Among 3,562 patients with AIS, 3,365 (94.4%) were excluded from thrombolysis; 2,871 (80.6%) were admitted out of the IVT time window, which represents the main reason for exclusion from thrombolysis. Thrombolysis alert (TA) was triggered for 691 (19.4%) patients, and 197 patients had IVT (which represents 28.5% of TA and 5.5% of all AIS). Minor stroke and rapidly improving symptoms of stroke were also reasons for non-thrombolysis, which explain the high-average initial National Institutes of Health Stoke Scale (NIHSS) score of more than 12 in the thrombolysis group. CT angiography allows for the analysis of the supra-aortic trunks, the circle of Willis, and the collateral status. Therefore, during the period when a CT angiography scan was used, there were more IVTs for minor strokes, rapidly improving strokes, and AIS patients admitted beyond the IVT time window. Conclusions This study highlights the common reasons for exclusion from thrombolysis. Efforts should be undertaken to avoid admission time delays. Also, based on our findings, minor stroke and improving stroke no longer represent absolute contraindications for IVT in AIS.
Analyzing the Disaster Preparedness Capability of Local Government Using AHP: Zhengzhou 7.20 Rainstorm Disaster

This study aimed to identify factors influencing disaster preparedness capability, measure and compare the relative importance of evaluation indicators of preparedness capability in a rainstorm disaster, and analyze the impact of these factors on disaster preparedness so as to improve disaster preparedness capability. The evaluation model was proposed by constructing the target level (the first level) as an indicator system; this was divided into four indicators (the second level): planning, organization, equipment, and education and exercise, and 14 tertiary evaluation indicators (the third level). The validity of the evaluation index system was demonstrated, and the weight of each level was calculated using the Analytic Hierarchical Process and expert survey methods, taking the example of the Zhengzhou “7.20” rainstorm to conduct an empirical analysis of the proposed model. The weak points of disaster preparedness capability were identified. The empirical analysis revealed that organization scored the highest, followed by planning, equipment, and education and exercise, indicating the lack of disaster management equipment and resources, disaster management training, and exercise and public emergency safety education. These results will help in future decision-making, as they provide a clear understanding of what needs to be done to improve disaster preparedness capability.
Business performance analytics & firm performance: an Indian case study

Enterprise Performance Analytics entails the systematic utilization of information analytical techniques for performance measurement and control. While possibly overcoming a number of conventional analysis problems associated with Performance Management Systems, like info overload, absence of cause effect human relationships, lack of a holistic view of the business, investigation in the area remains in the infancy of its. An extensive item for operationalising analytics for interactive and diagnostic PMS is lacking. To adopt an activity analysis strategy, this particular paper handles this gap and gets a five step framework put on to an enterprise operating in the building business. The results show that besides encouraging dialogue, business performance analytics (BPA) is able to contribute to identifying serious performance variables, possible sources of danger as well as associated interdependencies. A number of vital issues in applying data based approaches can also be highlighted including information quality, cultural shifts and organizational competences.
Optimized free-energy evaluation using a single reversible-scaling simulation

We present a method, for highly efﬁcient free-energy calculations by means of molecular dynamics and Monte Carlo simulations, which is an optimized combination of coupling parameter and adiabatic switching formalisms. This approach involves dynamical reversible scaling of the potential energy function of a system of interest, and allows accurate determination of its free energy over a wide temperature interval from a single simulation. The method is demonstrated in two applications: crystalline Si at zero pressure and a fcc nearest-neighbor antiferromagnetic Ising model.
Exploring auditory gist: Comprehension of two dichotic, simultaneously presented stories

Cherry (1953) showed that when listeners were asked to selectively attend to one ear in a dichotic listening task, they were able to identify gross attributes of the signal in the unattended ear, suggesting that listeners may be able to capture the “gist” of an auditory stream even when they are asked to ignore it. This experiment explored the extraction of auditory “gist” by investigating the amount and nature of the semantic information stored in memory for later recall. In the experiment, listeners heard two dichotically presented stories; they were directed to: (1) listen to one of the two stories and answer yes-no questions about that story (Directed condition), (2) not directed (Undirected condition) and answer questions about one or both stories, and (3) listen to one of the stories and answer questions about the unattended story (Misdirected condition). Results suggest that listeners can recall the main ideas of both stories in the undirected attention condition significantly better than chance, b.