Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Animal linguistics: a primer

The evolution of language has been investigated by several research communities, including biologists and linguists, striving to highlight similar linguistic capacities across species. To date, however, no consensus exists on the linguistic capacities of non‐human species. Major controversies remain on the use of linguistic terminology, analysis methods and behavioural data collection. The field of ‘animal linguistics’ has emerged to overcome these difficulties and attempt to reach uniform methods and terminology. This primer is a tutorial review of ‘animal linguistics’. It describes the linguistic concepts of semantics, pragmatics and syntax, and proposes minimal criteria to be fulfilled to claim that a given species displays a particular linguistic capacity. Second, it reviews relevant methods successfully applied to the study of communication in animals and proposes a list of useful references to detect and overcome major pitfalls commonly observed in the collection of animal behaviour data. This primer represents a step towards mutual understanding and fruitful collaborations between linguists and biologists.
MERIDIONAL FLOW IN THE SOLAR CONVECTION ZONE. II. HELIOSEISMIC INVERSIONS OF GONG DATA

Meridional flow is thought to play a very important role in the dynamics of the solar convection zone; however, because of its relatively small amplitude, precisely measuring it poses a significant challenge. Here we present a complete time–distance helioseismic analysis of about 2 years of ground-based Global Oscillation Network Group (GONG) Doppler data to retrieve the meridional circulation profile for modest latitudes in an attempt to corroborate results from other studies. We use an empirical correction to the travel times due to an unknown center-to-limb systematic effect. The helioseismic inversion procedure is first tested and reasonably validated on artificial data from a large-scale numerical simulation followed by a test to broadly recover the solar differential rotation found from global seismology. From GONG data, we measure poleward photospheric flows at all latitudes with properties that are comparable with earlier studies and a shallow equatorward flow about 65 Mm beneath the surface, in agreement with recent findings from Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager (HMI) data. No strong evidence of multiple circulation cells in depth or latitude is found, yet the whole phase space has not yet been explored. Tests of mass flux conservation are then carried out on the inferred GONG and HMI flows and compared to a fiducial numerical baseline from models, and we find that the continuity equation is poorly satisfied. While the two disparate data sets do give similar results for about the outer 15% of the interior radius, the total inverted circulation pattern appears to be unphysical in terms of mass conservation when interpreted over modest time scales. We can likely attribute this to both the influence of realization noise and subtle effects in the data and measurement procedure.
Quantum communication on closed time-like curves

We define a new quantity we call a ctcbit that provides a means for quantifying a qubit on a closed time-like curve (CTC) as a shared resource. We describe a simple protocol for the sharing of information that is similar to quantum teleportation but does not require an entangled particle pair or ebit. While there is the appearance that the given resource is free, we employ a non-Hausdorff topology to prevent any limitless information exchanges. Nonetheless, the resource does limit the type of information that may be transferred, though this limitation can be reduced through the use of weak measurements. While the reality of CTCs is highly speculative, the present paper provides a manner by which quantum informational methods may be employed to study such problems and may ultimately prove useful in studying quantum gravity.
Grand Unification in the Heterotic Brane World

The compactification of the heterotic string on six-dimensional orbifolds is reviewed. Some important technical aspects of their construction are clarified and new parameters, called generalized discrete torsion, are introduced and related to the torsionless construction. Furthermore, a systematic search for MSSM-like models is performed in the context of Z6-II orbifolds, addressing questions like the identification of a supersymmetric vacuum with a naturally small mu-term and proton decay. Finally, the blow-up of Z3 singularities is discussed in the local and in the global case - also in the presence of Wilson lines. This procedure is exemplified with the resolution of a Z3 MSSM candidate.
Requirement of a functional ion channel for Sindbis virus glycoprotein transport, CPV-II formation, and efficient virus budding

Many viruses encode ion channel proteins that oligomerize to form hydrophilic pores in membranes of virus-infected cells and the viral membrane in some enveloped viruses. Alphavirus 6K, human immunodeficiency virus type 1 Vpu (HIV-Vpu), influenza A virus M2 (IAV-M2), and hepatitis C virus P7 (HCV-P7) are transmembrane ion channel proteins that play essential roles in virus assembly, budding, and entry. While the oligomeric structures and mechanisms of ion channel activity are well-established for M2 and P7, these remain unknown for 6K. Here we investigated the functional role of the ion channel activity of 6K in alphavirus assembly by utilizing a series of Sindbis virus (SINV) ion channel chimeras expressing the ion channel helix from Vpu or M2 or substituting the entire 6K protein with full-length P7, in cis. We demonstrate that the Vpu helix efficiently complements 6K, whereas M2 and P7 are less efficient. Our results indicate that while SINV is primarily insensitive to the M2 ion channel inhibitor amantadine, the Vpu inhibitor 5-N, N-Hexamethylene amiloride (HMA), significantly reduces SINV release, suggesting that the ion channel activity of 6K similar to Vpu, promotes virus budding. Using live-cell imaging of SINV with a miniSOG-tagged 6K and mCherry-tagged E2, we further demonstrate that 6K and E2 colocalize with the Golgi apparatus in the secretory pathway. To contextualize the localization of 6K in the Golgi, we analyzed cells infected with SINV and SINV-ion channel chimeras using transmission electron microscopy. Our results provide evidence for the first time for the functional role of 6K in type II cytopathic vacuoles (CPV-II) formation. We demonstrate that in the absence of 6K, CPV-II, which originates from the Golgi apparatus, is not detected in infected cells, with a concomitant reduction in the glycoprotein transport to the plasma membrane. Substituting a functional ion channel, M2 or Vpu localizing to Golgi, restores CPV-II production, whereas P7, retained in the ER, is inadequate to induce CPV-II formation. Altogether our results indicate that ion channel activity of 6K is required for the formation of CPV-II from the Golgi apparatus, promoting glycoprotein spike transport to the plasma membrane and efficient virus budding.
Biomarker profiles in heart failure with preserved vs. reduced ejection fraction: results from the DIAST‐CHF study

Chronic heart failure (HF) is a common disease and one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) are different diseases with distinct as well as comparable pathophysiologies and diverse responses to therapeutic agents. We aimed to identify possible pathobiochemical signalling pathways and biomarkers in HFpEF and HFrEF by using a broad proteomic approach.
Proper Motions with Subaru II. A Sample in the Subaru/XMM-Newton Deep Survey Field

We search for stars with proper motions in a set of deep Subaru images, covering about 0.48 square degrees to a depth of $i' \simeq 26$, taken over a span of five and a half years. We follow the methods described in \citet{Richmond2009} to reduce and analyze this dataset. We present a sample of 69 stars with motions of high significance, and discuss briefly the populations from which they are likely drawn. Based on photometry and motions alone, we expect that 14 of the candidates may be white dwarfs. Our candidate with the largest proper motion is surprisingly faint and likely to prove interesting: its colors and motions suggest that it might be an M dwarf moving at over 500 km/sec or an L dwarf in the halo.
The Efficacy and Safety of Abaloparatide‐SC in Men With Osteoporosis: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Abaloparatide significantly increased bone mineral density (BMD) in women with postmenopausal osteoporosis and decreased risk of vertebral, nonvertebral, and clinical fractures compared with placebo. The Abaloparatide for the Treatment of Men with Osteoporosis (ATOM; NCT03512262) study evaluated the efficacy and safety of abaloparatide compared with placebo in men. Eligible men aged 40 to 85 years with osteoporosis were randomized 2:1 to daily subcutaneous injections of abaloparatide 80 μg or placebo for 12 months. The primary endpoint was change from baseline in lumbar spine BMD. Key secondary endpoints included BMD change from baseline at the total hip and femoral neck. A total of 228 men were randomized (abaloparatide, n = 149; placebo, n = 79). Baseline characteristics were similar across treatment groups (mean age, 68.3 years; mean lumbar spine BMD T‐score, −2.1). At 12 months, BMD gains were greater with abaloparatide compared with placebo at the lumbar spine (least squares mean percentage change [standard error]: 8.48 [0.54] versus 1.17 [0.72]), total hip (2.14 [0.27] versus 0.01 [0.35]), and femoral neck (2.98 [0.34] versus 0.15 [0.45]) (all p < 0.0001). The most common (≥5%) treatment‐emergent adverse events were injection site reaction, dizziness, nasopharyngitis, arthralgia, bronchitis, hypertension, and headache. During 12 months of abaloparatide treatment, men with osteoporosis exhibited rapid and significant improvements in BMD with a safety profile consistent with previous studies. These results suggest abaloparatide can be considered as an effective anabolic treatment option for men with osteoporosis. © 2022 Radius Health Inc and The Authors. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).
Focus on zavegepant: the first intranasal third-generation gepant.

Migraine is the leading cause of years lived with disability in people under 50 and its burden is increased by calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP)-driven chronicity. Newly approved small molecules that antagonize the CGRP receptor, gepants, have advanced from the hepatotoxic first-generation telcagepant to third-generation intranasal zavegepant; during this process of drug development, rimegepant, ubrogepant and atogepant, which are orally administered, have been launched and approved for clinical use with no warning for hepatotoxicity. Real-world, long-term postmarketing data about the efficacy and safety of gepants are awaited. The aim of the present drug evaluation study was to provide an overview of the novel, third-generation intranasal Zavegepant, encompassing its development and future perspectives.
Upper limit for the critical field in hard superconductors. [V/sub 2. 95/Ga, NbâSn,VâSi, V/sub 1. 95/ Ga]

An examination is presented of some recent reports dealing with the extremely high critical fields in certain hard superconductors. Observations of nuclear magnetic resonance in V/sub 3/Si and V/sub 3/Ga are shown to set a severe upper limit on the attainable critical field because of a reduction in the spin susceptibility of these materials in the superconducting state. Equations are derived for the maximum critical field using this limiting criterion. A table of maximum and estimated critical fields is presented for V/sub 2.95/ Ga, Nb/sub 3/ Sn, V/sub 3/Si, and V/sub 1.95/ Ga. It is concluded that the critical fields for these BETA -wolfran compounds are so high that they may be effectively limited at low temperatures by the normal-state paramagnetism. If this is the case, critical fields higher than about 300 kilogauss will not be realized unless materials can be discovered with high transition temperatures. (H.D.R.)
Algebraic methods for channel coding

This work is dedicated to developing algebraic methods for channel coding. Its goal is to show that in different contexts, namely single-antenna Rayleigh fading channels, coherent and non-coherent MIMO channels, algebraic techniques can provide useful tools for building efficient coding schemes. Rotated lattice signal constellations have been proposed as an alternative for transmission over the single-antenna Rayleigh fading channel. It has been shown that the performance of such modulation schemes essentially depends on two design parameters: the modulation diversity and the minimum product distance. Algebraic lattices, i.e., lattices constructed by the canonical embedding of an algebraic number field, or more precisely ideal lattices, provide an efficient tool for designing such codes, since the design criteria are related to properties of the underlying number field: the maximal diversity is guaranteed when using totally real number fields and the minimum product distance is optimized by considering fields with small discriminant. Furthermore, both shaping and labelling constraints are taken care of by constructing Zn-lattices. We present here the construction of several families of such n-dimensional lattices for any n, and compute their performance. We then give an upper bound on their minimal product distance, and show that with respect to this bound, existing lattice codes are optimal in the sense that no further significant coding gain could be reached. Cyclic division algebras have been introduced recently in the context of coherent Space-Time coding. These are non-commutative algebras which naturally yield families of invertible matrices, or in other words, linear codes that fulfill the rank criterion. In this work, we further exploit the algebraic structures of cyclic algebras to build Space-Time Block codes (STBCs) that satisfy the following properties: they have full rate, full diversity, non-vanishing constant minimum determinant for increasing spectral efficiency, uniform average transmitted energy per antenna and good shaping. We give algebraic constructions of such STBCs for 2, 3, 4 and 6 antennas and show that these are the only cases where they exist. We finally consider the problem of designing Space-Time codes in the noncoherent case. The goal is to construct maximal diversity Space-Time codewords, subject to a fixed constellation constraint. Using an interpretation of the noncoherent coding problem in terms of packing subspaces according to a given metric, we consider the construction of non-intersecting subspaces on finite alphabets. Techniques used here mainly derive from finite projective geometry.
Association of Antidepressant Use During Pregnancy With Risk of Neurodevelopmental Disorders in Children.

Importance Antidepressant use during pregnancy has been associated with neurodevelopmental disorders in children in some studies. However, results may be explained by uncontrolled confounding by parental mental health status, genetics, and environmental factors. Objective To evaluate the association between antidepressant use in pregnancy and neurodevelopmental outcomes in children. Design, Setting, and Participants This cohort study of health care utilization data was separated into cohorts of publicly and privately insured pregnant individuals and their children nested in the Medicaid Analytic eXtract (MAX; 2000-2014) and the IBM MarketScan Research Database (MarketScan; 2003-2015). A total of 1.93 million pregnancies in MAX and 1.25 million pregnancies in MarketScan were recorded. Children were followed from birth until outcome diagnosis, disenrollment, death, or end of study (maximum 14 years). Analyses were conducted between August 2020 and July 2021. Exposures Dispensing of antidepressant medication from gestational week 19 until delivery, the period of synaptogenesis. Main Outcomes and Measures Neurodevelopmental disorders in children defined using validated algorithms. Early pregnancy exposure was considered in sensitivity analyses, and approaches to confounding adjustment included propensity score fine stratification, discontinuers comparison, and sibling analyses. Results Among the individuals included in the analysis, there were 145 702 antidepressant-exposed and 3 032 745 unexposed pregnancies; the mean (SD) age among the antidepressant exposed and unexposed was 26.2 (5.7) and 24.3 (5.8) years in MAX and 32.7 (4.6) and 31.9 (4.6) years in MarketScan, respectively; and in MAX, which collected information on race and ethnicity, 72.4% of the antidepressant-exposed and 37.1% of the unexposed individuals were White. Crude results suggested up to a doubling in risk of neurodevelopmental outcomes associated with antidepressant exposure; however, no association was observed in the most fully adjusted analyses. When comparing antidepressant-exposed and unexposed siblings, hazard ratios were 0.97 (95% CI, 0.88-1.06) for any neurodevelopmental disorder, 0.86 (95% CI, 0.60-1.23) for autism spectrum disorder, 0.94 (95% CI, 0.81-1.08) for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, 0.77 (95% CI, 0.42-1.39) for specific learning disorders, 1.01 (95% CI, 0.88-1.16) for developmental speech/language disorder, 0.79 (95% CI, 0.54-1.17) for developmental coordination disorder, 1.00 (95% CI, 0.45-2.22) for intellectual disability, and 0.95 (95% CI, 0.80-1.12) for behavioral disorders. Results were generally consistent for antidepressant classes and drugs and across exposure windows. Conclusions and Relevance The results of this cohort study suggest that antidepressant use in pregnancy itself does not increase the risk of neurodevelopmental disorders in children. However, given strong crude associations, antidepressant exposure in pregnancy may be an important marker for the need of early screening and intervention.
Liposome and microemulsion loaded with ibuprofen: from preparation to mechanism of drug transport

Abstract To compare the difference between liposome (LP) and microemulsion (ME) in delivering ibuprofen (IBU) transdermally and explore relative mechanism. IBU-LP and IBU-ME were prepared by ethanol injection and spontaneous emulsification, respectively. The percutaneous delivery was evaluated using Franz diffusion cells. Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy (FTIR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), activation energy (Ea), and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) were used to investigate the transdermal mechanism. The particle size and encapsulation efficiency were 228.00 ± 8.60 nm, 86.68 ± 1.43%(w/w) for IBU-LP, and 56.74 ± 7.11 nm, 91.08 ± 3.27%(w/w) for IBU-ME. Percutaneous study showed that formulations enhanced permeation and drug retention in the skin. FTIR and DSC showed that the permeation occurred due to the interaction of the formulations with the lipid bilayer and the protein. The decrease in Ea (1.506 and 0.939 kcal/mol) revealed that the stratum corneum (SC) lipid bilayers were significantly disrupted and this destructive effect of IBU-LP was stronger. IBU-LP was superior to IBU-ME in the aspects of transdermal delivery of IBU.
Encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis: Your questions answered

Encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis (EPS) is a clinical syndrome hallmarked by the formation of a fibrous cocoon encapsulating the bowel resulting in morbidity and mortality. EPS is most frequently associated with peritoneal dialysis (PD), particularly with its discontinuation. While EPS is one of the most feared complications of PD, the majority of patients receiving PD will not go on to develop EPS. Risk factors for development include time on PD, some types of peritonitis and discontinuation of PD. Owing to its rarity, much of the knowledge of EPS comes from case series and registries and treatments are extrapolated from low-quality evidence. Malnutrition is a significant driver of mortality, and nutritional support is critical in management. We present a case of EPS and frequently asked questions including the definition, diagnosis, epidemiology, pathophysiology, risk factors, role of infection, management and roles of nutrition and surgery.
Muscle injury induces a transient senescence‐like state that is required for myofiber growth during muscle regeneration

Cellular senescence is the irreversible arrest of normally dividing cells and is driven by the cell cycle inhibitors Cdkn2a, Cdkn1a, and Trp53. Senescent cells are implicated in chronic diseases and tissue repair through their increased secretion of pro‐inflammatory factors known as the senescence‐associated secretory phenotype (SASP). Here, we use spatial transcriptomics and single‐cell RNA sequencing (scRNAseq) to demonstrate that cells displaying senescent characteristics are “transiently” present within regenerating skeletal muscle and within the muscles of D2‐mdx mice, a model of Muscular Dystrophy. Following injury, multiple cell types including macrophages and fibrog–adipogenic progenitors (FAPs) upregulate senescent features such as senescence pathway genes, SASP factors, and senescence‐associated beta‐gal (SA‐β‐gal) activity. Importantly, when these cells were removed with ABT‐263, a senolytic compound, satellite cells are reduced, and muscle fibers were impaired in growth and myonuclear accretion. These results highlight that an “acute” senescent phenotype facilitates regeneration similar to skin and neonatal myocardium.
Fifty years with aspirin and platelets

In 2021, we reached the 50th anniversary of the publication of Sir John Vane's seminal paper in Nature New Biology describing the experiments supporting his mechanistic hypothesis that inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis might explain the main pharmacological effects of aspirin and aspirin‐like drugs, that is, reduction in pain, fever and inflammation. Bengt Samuelsson's subsequent discoveries elucidating the cyclooxygenase pathway of platelet arachidonic acid metabolism motivated my research interest towards measuring platelet thromboxane A2 biosynthesis as a tool to investigate the clinical pharmacology of cyclooxygenase inhibition by aspirin in health and disease. What followed was a long, winding road of clinical research leading to the characterization of low‐dose aspirin as a life‐saving antiplatelet drug that still represents the cornerstone of antithrombotic therapy. Having witnessed and participated in these 50 years of aspirin research, I thought of providing a personal testimony of how things developed and eventually led to a remarkable success story of independent research.
The relationship between anemia and obesity

ABSTRACT Introduction Obesity is linked to a variety of unfavorable outcomes, including anemia, which is a serious global public health problem. The prevalence of obesity along with anemia suggests a relationship between obesity and anemia. Recent studies have demonstrated strong associations between anemia and obesity, chronic diseases, aging, hepato-renal impairment, chronic infection, autoimmune diseases, and widespread malignancy. Thus, the intersection point of obesity and anemia is an important area of attention. Area Covered This paper reviews the pathophysiology of obesity and anemia. Then, It deliberates the relationship between obesity and different types of anemia and other clinical forms associated with anemia. Expert Opinion Obesity, especially obesity-related to excessive visceral fat distribution, is accompanied by several disturbances at the endothelial, hormonal, and inflammatory levels. These disturbances induce activation of several mechanisms that contribute to the anemic state. Over-weight patients with chronic anaemias are required to maintain the related vitamins and minerals at optimum levels and appropriate BMI. In addition, a regular clinical follow-up is essential to be scheduled to reduce the risk of complications associated with anemia in obese patients.