Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Incomplete bunyavirus particles can cooperatively support virus infection and spread

Bunyaviruses lack a specific mechanism to ensure the incorporation of a complete set of genome segments into each virion, explaining the generation of incomplete virus particles lacking one or more genome segments. Such incomplete virus particles, which may represent the majority of particles produced, are generally considered to interfere with virus infection and spread. Using the three-segmented arthropod-borne Rift Valley fever virus as a model bunyavirus, we here show that two distinct incomplete virus particle populations unable to spread autonomously are able to efficiently complement each other in both mammalian and insect cells following co-infection. We further show that complementing incomplete virus particles can co-infect mosquitoes, resulting in the reconstitution of infectious virus that is able to disseminate to the mosquito salivary glands. Computational models of infection dynamics predict that incomplete virus particles can positively impact virus spread over a wide range of conditions, with the strongest effect at intermediate multiplicities of infection. Our findings suggest that incomplete particles may play a significant role in within-host spread and between-host transmission, reminiscent of the infection cycle of multipartite viruses.
Subgroup dynamics and $C^\ast$-simplicity of groups of homeomorphisms

We study the uniformly recurrent subgroups of groups acting by homeomorphisms on a topological space. We prove a general result relating uniformly recurrent subgroups to rigid stabilizers of the action, and deduce a $C^*$-simplicity criterion based on the non-amenability of rigid stabilizers. As an application, we show that Thompson's group $V$ is $C^\ast$-simple, as well as groups of piecewise projective homeomorphisms of the real line. This provides examples of finitely presented $C^\ast$-simple groups without free subgroups. We prove that a branch group is either amenable or $C^\ast$-simple. We also prove the converse of a result of Haagerup and Olesen: if Thompson's group $F$ is non-amenable, then Thompson's group $T$ must be $C^\ast$-simple. Our results further provide sufficient conditions on a group of homeomorphisms under which uniformly recurrent subgroups can be completely classified. This applies to Thompson's groups $F$, $T$ and $V$, for which we also deduce rigidity results for their minimal actions on compact spaces.
CRISPR/Cas9‐mediated knockout of period reveals its function in the circadian rhythms of the diamondback moth Plutella xylostella

Circadian clocks control the rhythmicity of many behaviors and physiological features of insects. To study the circadian clock of the moth Plutella xylostella, we employed CRISPR/Cas9‐mediated genome editing to investigate the effect of loss of the clock gene period on the circadian rhythms. P. xylostella harbors a single copy of period. Phylogenetic analysis showed that P. xylostella PERIOD is more homologous to mouse PERIOD than the PERIOD proteins from bees, flies, mosquitos, and many other Lepidoptera, such as Danaus plexippus and Bombyx mori. The circadian rhythms in adult locomotor activity were altered in the period knockout strain of P. xylostella under light–dark (LD) and continuous dark (DD) conditions. Under the LD cycle, the wild‐type moths displayed nocturnal activity with activity peaking very early after lights off and quickly declining after lights on. In contrast, the period knockout strain had no peak in activity when the lights were turned off and exhibited steady activity throughout the hours of darkness. Interestingly, under DD conditions, our results showed that the locomotor rhythm can be maintained without period gene, but at a lower rhythmicity ratio than wild‐type. In addition, knockout of period in P. xylostella changed circadian rhythms patterns related to pupal eclosion, mating, egg‐laying, and egg hatching. Mechanistically, loss of PERIOD disrupted the molecular rhythm of period and changed the clock transcription rhythm in the heads of the moths under LD and DD conditions. Together, our study indicates that the PERIOD is required for normal expression of many behavioral rhythms in P. xylostella.
Residues, Grothendieck Polynomials, and K-Theoretic Thom Polynomials

Grothendieck polynomials were introduced by Lascoux and Schützenberger and play an important role in K-theoretic Schubert calculus. In this paper, we give a new definition of double stable Grothendieck polynomials based on an iterated residue operation. We illustrate the power of our definition by calculating the Grothendieck expansion of K-theoretic Thom polynomials of ${\mathcal {A}}_{2}$ singularities. We present this expansion in two versions: one displays its stabilization property, while the other displays its expected finiteness property.
Plane wave in a moving medium and resolution of the Abraham-Minkowski debate by the special principle of relativity

In this paper, a novel approach for resolution of the Abraham-Minkowski debate is proposed, in which the principle of relativity is used to uniquely determine the light momentum formulation for a plane wave in a moving non-dispersive lossless isotropic uniform medium. It is shown by analysis of the plane-wave solution that, (1) there may be a pseudo-power flow when a medium moves, and the Poynting vector does not necessarily denote the direction of real power flowing, (2) Minkowski's light momentum and energy constitute a Lorentz four-vector in a form of single photon or single EM-field cell, and Planck constant is a Lorentz invariant, (3) there is no momentum transfer taking place between the plane wave and the uniform medium, and the EM momentum conservation equation cannot be uniquely determined without resort to the principle of relativity, and (4) the moving medium behaves as a so-called "negative index medium" when it moves opposite to the wave vector at a faster-than-dielectric light speed. It is also shown by analysis of EM-field Lorentz transformations that, when a static electric (magnetic) field moves in free space, neither Abraham's nor Minkowski's formulation can correctly describe a real electromagnetic momentum; as an application of this principle, the classical electron mass-energy paradox is analyzed and resolved. Finally, a general EM momentum definition is proposed, and according to this new definition, the traditional "Abraham-type" and "Minkowski-type" momentums in the dispersion wave-guiding systems, such as regular dielectric-filled metallic waveguides, are found to be included in the same momentum formulation, but they appear at different frequencies.
Re-pairing brackets

Consider the following one-player game. Take a well-formed sequence of opening and closing brackets (a Dyck word). As a move, the player can pair any opening bracket with any closing bracket to its right, erasing them. The goal is to re-pair (erase) the entire sequence, and the cost of a strategy is measured by its width: the maximum number of nonempty segments of symbols (separated by blank space) seen during the play. For various initial sequences, we prove upper and lower bounds on the minimum width sufficient for re-pairing. (In particular, the sequence associated with the complete binary tree of height n admits a strategy of width sub-exponential in log n.) Our two key contributions are (1) lower bounds on the width and (2) their application in automata theory: quasi-polynomial lower bounds on the translation from one-counter automata to Parikh-equivalent nondeterministic finite automata. The latter result answers a question by Atig et al. (2016).
Split supersymmetry radiates flavor

Radiative flavor models where the hierarchies of Standard Model (SM) fermion masses and mixings are explained via loop corrections are elegant ways to solve the SM flavor puzzle. Here we build such a model in the context of Mini-Split Supersymmetry (SUSY) where both flavor and SUSY breaking occur at a scale of 1000 TeV. This model is consistent with the observed Higgs mass, unification, and WIMP dark matter. The high scale allows large flavor mixing among the sfermions, which provides part of the mechanism for radiative flavor generation. In the deep UV, all flavors are treated democratically, but at the SUSY breaking scale, the third, second, and first generation Yukawa couplings are generated at tree level, one loop, and two loops, respectively. Save for one, all the dimensionless parameters in the theory are O(1), with the exception being a modest and technically natural tuning that explains both the smallness of the bottom Yukawa coupling and the largeness of the Cabibbo angle.
The mmax-Mecl relation, the IMF and IGIMF: probabilistically sampled functions?

We introduce a new method to measure the dispersion of mmax values of star clusters and show that the observed sample of mmax is inconsistent with random sampling from an universal stellar initial mass function (IMF) at a 99.9% confidence level. The scatter seen in the mmax-Mecldata can be mainly (76%) understood as being the result of observational uncertainties only. The scatter of mmax values at a given Meclare consistent with mostly measurement uncertainties such that the true (physical) scatter may be very small. Additionally, new data on the local star-formation regions Taurus-Auriga and L1641 in Orion make stochastically formed stellar populations rather unlikely. The data are however consistent with the local IGIMF (integrated galactic stellar initial mass function) theory according to which a stellar population is a sum of individual star-forming events each of which is described by well defined physical laws. Randomly sampled IMFs and henceforth scale-free star formation seems to be in contradiction to observed reality.
Smallest matrix black hole model in the classical limit

We study the smallest non-trivial matrix model that can be considered to be a (toy) model of a black hole. The model consists of a pair of $2\times 2$ traceless hermitian matrices with a commutator squared potential and an $SU(2)$ gauge symmetry, plus an $SO(2)$ rotation symmetry. We show that using the symmetries of the system, all but two of the variables can be separated. The two variables that remain display chaos and a transition from chaos to integrability when a parameter related to an $SO(2)$ angular momentum is tuned to a critical value. We compute the Lyapunov exponents near this transition and study the critical exponent of the Lyapunov exponents near the critical point. We compare this transition to extremal rotating black holes.
APELIN-13 AMELIORATES LPS-INDUCED ENDOTHELIAL-TO-MESENCHYMAL TRANSITION AND POST–ACUTE LUNG INJURY PULMONARY FIBROSIS BY SUPPRESSING TRANSFORMING GROWTH FACTOR-Β1 SIGNALING

ABSTRACT The pathophysiology of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) involves cytokine storms, alveolar-capillary barrier destruction, and fibrotic progression. Pulmonary interstitial fibrosis is an important factor affecting the prognosis of ARDS patients. Endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) plays an important role in the development of fibrotic diseases, and the occurrence of EndMT has been observed in experimental models of LPS-induced acute lung injury (ALI). Apelin is an endogenous active polypeptide that plays an important role in maintaining endothelial cell homeostasis and inhibiting fibrotic progression in various diseases. However, whether apelin attenuates EndMT in ALI and post-ALI pulmonary fibrosis remains unclear. We analyzed the serum levels of apelin-13 in patients with sepsis-associated ARDS to examine its possible clinical value. A murine model of LPS-induced pulmonary fibrosis and an LPS-challenged endothelial cell injury model were used to analyze the protective effect and underlying mechanism of apelin-13. Mice were treated with apelin-13 by i.p. injection, and human pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells were incubated with apelin-13 in vitro. We found that the circulating apelin-13 levels were significantly elevated in sepsis-associated ARDS patients compared with healthy controls. Our study also confirmed that LPS induced EndMT progression and pulmonary fibrosis, which were characterized by decreased CD31 expression and increased α-smooth muscle actin expression and collagen deposition. LPS also stimulated the production of transforming growth factor β1 and activated the Smad signaling pathway. However, apelin-13 treatment significantly attenuated these changes. Our findings suggest that apelin-13 may be a novel biomarker in patients with sepsis-associated ARDS. These results demonstrate that apelin-13 ameliorates LPS-induced EndMT and post-ALI pulmonary fibrosis by suppressing transforming growth factor β1 signaling.
Shiga toxin (stx) encoding genes in sheep and goats reared in Trinidad and Tobago

Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) is estimated to cause over two million cases of human disease annually. Trinidad and Tobago is one of the largest livestock producer and consumer of sheep and goat meat in the Caribbean, however, the potential role of these animals in the epidemiology of STEC infections has not been previously described. To fill this critical gap in knowledge, the prevalence of Shiga toxin genes (stx1 and stx2) shed in the faeces of healthy sheep (n = 204) and goats (n = 105) in Trinidad was investigated. Based on PCR screening, goats had a higher stx prevalence than sheep (46% vs 35%, P = 0.06). Most of the recovered STEC isolates were positive for stx1 only; and only three isolates were positive for the eae gene. None of the recovered isolates belonged to the O157 serogroup. In both species, the prevalence of stx was higher in young animals versus older animals. Sheep reared on deep litter flooring (43%) had a higher prevalence than sheep reared other flooring types, however this was not the same for goats. The presence of cows on the same premise was not an associated predictor for STEC carriage in sheep or goats. This study demonstrates that although sheep and goats in Trinidad are reservoirs for stx-positive E. coli isolates, no fecal samples tested positive for O157 STEC, harbored. Furthermore, it appears that non-O157 stx-positive isolates harbored by these animals do not pose a significant threat to human health
Can a Sediment Core Reveal the Plastic Age? Microplastic Preservation in a Coastal Sedimentary Record

The seafloor is the major sink for microplastic (MP) pollutants. However, there is a lack of robust data on the historical evolution of MP pollution in the sediment compartment, particularly the sequestration and burial rate of small MPs. By combining a palaeoceanographic approach and state-of-the-art analytical methods for MP identification down to 11 μm in size, we present the first high-resolution reconstruction of MP pollution from an undisturbed sediment core collected in the NW Mediterranean Sea. Furthermore, we investigate the fate of MPs once buried in the sediments by evaluating the changes in the size distribution of the MPs and the weathering status of the polyolefins, polyethylene, and polypropylene. Our results indicate that the MP mass sequestered in the sediment compartment mimics the global plastic production from 1965 to 2016. We observed an increase in the weathering status of the polyolefins as the size decreased. However, the variability in the size and weathering status of the MPs throughout the sedimentary record indicated that these pollutants, once incorporated into sediments, remain preserved with no further degradation under conditions lacking remobilization.
The future of cardioneuroablation in cardiovascular medicine

ABSTRACT Introduction Cardioneuroablation is increasingly being utilized to improve outcomes in patients with vagally mediated bradyarrhythmias. However, there are still controversial issues in the field including patient selection, safety and efficacy, and procedural end-points. Areas covered In this review, the current role of cardioneuroablation is summarized, and controversial issues related to the modality are discussed. Expert opinion According to small open-label cohort studies, overall freedom from syncope recurrence was higher than 90% after cardioneuroablation in patients with vasovagal syncope (VVS). Use of the electrogram-based strategy or high-frequency stimulation demonstrate similar success rate except in procedures limited to the right atrium. Based on a recently published randomized controlled trial and metanalysis, it may be possible now to make a strong recommendation for cardioneuroablation in patients <40 years of age, and those with the cardioinhibitory or mixed type of VVS who continue to experience frequent and/or burdensome syncope recurrences. Considering patients with VVS are prone to significant placebo/expectation effect, sham-controlled trials may help to quantify the placebo effect. In well-selected patients with functional atrioventricular block and sinus bradycardia, may result in encouraging medium-term outcomes. However, functional bradycardia is identified in a minority of patients presenting with high-grade atrioventricular block or sinus node dysfunction.
Dark vector-gauge-boson model

A model based on $SU(3{)}_{C}\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}SU(2{)}_{L}\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}U(1{)}_{Y}\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}SU(2{)}_{N}$ has recently been proposed, where the $SU(2{)}_{N}$ vector gauge bosons are neutral, so that a vector dark-matter candidate is possible and constrained by data to be less than about 1 TeV. We explore further implications of this model, including a detailed study of its Higgs sector. We improve on its dark-matter phenomenology, as well as its discovery reach at the Large Hadron Collider.
Trans-Alfvénic motions in the Taurus molecular cloud

Magnetically aligned velocity anisotropy over varying physical conditions and environments within the Taurus molecular cloud is evaluated from analysis of wide field spectroscopic imaging of 12CO and 13CO J= 1–0 emission. Such anisotropy is a result of magnetohydrodynamic turbulence in the strong magnetic field regime and provides an indirect measure of the role of magnetic fields upon the gas. Velocity anisotropy aligned with the local, projected mean magnetic field direction is limited to fields with low surface brightness 12CO emission corresponding to regions of low visual extinction and, presumably, low gas volume density. The more optically thin 13CO J= 1–0 emission shows little evidence for velocity anisotropy. We compare our results with computational simulations with varying degrees of magnetic field strength and Alfvenic Mach numbers. In the diffuse, molecular envelope of the cloud, a strong magnetic field and sub-Alfvenic turbulent motions are inferred. Super-Alfvenic motions are present within the high column density filaments of the Taurus cloud. From this trans-Alfvenic flow, we constrain the scaling exponent, κ, of the magnetic field density relation (B∼nκ) to be near zero as expected for ambipolar diffusion or material loading of magnetic flux tubes.
Obscured clusters - IV. The most massive stars in [DBS2003] 179

Aims. We report new results for the massive evolved and main sequence members of the young galactic cluster DBS2003 179. We determine the physical parameters and investigate the high-mass stellar content of the cluster, as well as of its close vicinity. Methods. Our analysis is based on ISAAC/VLT moderate-resolution (R\approx4000) infrared spectroscopy of the brightest cluster members. We derive stellar parameters for sixteen of the stellar members, using full non-LTE modeling of the obtained spectra. Results. The cluster contains three late WN or WR/LBV stars (Obj 4, Obj 15, and Obj 20:MDM32) and at least 5 OIf and 5 OV stars. According to the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram for DBS2003 179, the WR stars show masses above 85Msun, the OIf stars are between 40 and 80Msun, and the main sequence O stars are >20Msun. There are indications of binarity for Obj 4 and Obj 11, and Obj 3 shows a variable spectrum. The cluster is surrounded by a continuous protostar formation region most probably triggered by DBS2003 179. Conclusions. We confirm that DBS2003 179 is young massive cluster (2.5 10^4Msun) very close to the Galactic center at the distance of 7.9+-0.8 kpc.
Stemming the tide of mental health problems in young people: Challenges and potential solutions

One in five people experience clinically relevant mental health problems before the age of 25 years. Furthermore, in Australia, one in seven children are reported to experience a mental health disorder. Consequently, there has been a steady increase in demand for mental health services for children and young people, and this has been compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic. Unfortunately, currently many children and young people with mental health difficulties are not accessing appropriate and/or timely care, with individuals and families finding it increasingly difficult to access and navigate suitable services. In part, this is related to the fragmented and isolated manner in which child mental health services are operating. To address the current issues in access to appropriate child and adolescent mental health care in Australia, a novel Integrated Continuum of Connect and Care model is proposed to integrate relevant services along a tiered care pathway. The aim of this model is to facilitate timely access to mental health services that meet the specific needs of each child/young person and their family. This model will function within co-located service hubs that integrate health care through a comprehensive assessment followed by a link up to relevant services. The Integrated Continuum of Connect and Care has the potential to pave the way for unifying the fragmented child and youth mental health system in Australia.
Longitudinal and Hall Transport in Amorphous InGaZnO4 Films Prepared by rf Sputtering Method

We systematically investigated the temperature behaviors of the electrical conductivity and Hall coefficient of two series of amorphous indium gallium zinc oxides (a‐IGZO) films prepared by rf sputtering method. The two series of films are ∼700 and ∼25 nm thick, respectively. For each film, the conductivity increases with decreasing temperature from 300 K down to Tmax , where Tmax , ranging from ∼90 to ∼115 K for our films, is the temperature at which the conductivity reaches its maximum. Below Tmax , the conductivity decreases with decreasing temperature. Both the conductivity and Hall coefficient vary linearly with lnT at low temperature regime. The lnT behaviors of conductivity and Hall coefficient cannot be explained by the traditional electron–electron interaction theory, but can be quantitatively described by the current electron‐electron theory due to the presence of granularity. Combining with the scanning electron microscopy images of the films, we propose that the boundaries between the neighboring a‐IGZO particles could make the film inhomogeneous and play an important role in the electron transport processes.
Bragg spectroscopy for measuring Casimir–Polder interactions with Bose–Einstein condensates above corrugated surfaces

We propose a method to probe dispersive atom–surface interactions by measuring via two-photon Bragg spectroscopy the dynamic structure factor of a Bose–Einstein condensate above corrugated surfaces. This method takes advantage of the condensate coherence to reveal the spatial Fourier components of the lateral Casimir–Polder interaction energy.