Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
On tidal variability induced by nonlinear interaction with planetary waves

Short-time variability of the atmospheric tides is frequently observed in the meteor region but is not yet fully explained in terms of production mechanisms. This is probably due to the existence of several such mechanisms acting together or separately. In this paper we show that many observations can be explained by nonlinear interactions between tides and planetary waves having periods corresponding to those of the observed tidal amplitude modulations. These nonlinear interactions generate two secondary waves whose frequencies are the sum and difference of frequencies of the primary waves. These two waves beat with the tide, modulating its amplitude with the planetary wave period. A numerical model is used to demonstrate that with primary waves of reasonable amplitudes the nonlinear interactions can be quite large. This is because the importance of nonlinearity depends essentially on the amplitude of the induced fluid velocity in the direction of wave propagation compared to the wave propagation velocity. When two waves propagate simultaneously, the fluid velocity can have a large component in the direction of propagation of one of the waves, and advective (nonlinear) terms can be large. This point is further illustrated in the case of two gravity waves interacting together. Finally, some observational campaigns carried out above Garchy (45°N) are analyzed using a nonparametric method. The results indicate that nonlinear interactions between tides and planetary waves really take place in the upper mesosphere and lower thermosphere.
Bound states in tubular quantum waveguides with torsion

We consider a quantum particle constrained to move within a tube of central radius d embedded in 3-space, subject to Dirichlet boundary conditions. Taking the central axis of the tube as a reference curve and setting up a locally cylindrical polar coordinate system around this curve, we derive an exact expression for the effective potential introduced by the imposition of curvature and torsion. We then employ a minimax method to ascertain a sufficient requirement for the curvature and torsion to guarantee the existence of a bound state.
Large scale wildlife monitoring studies: statistical methods for design and analysis

Techniques for estimation of absolute abundance of wildlife populations have received a lot of attention in recent years. The statistical research has been focused on intensive small‐scale studies. Recently, however, wildlife biologists have desired to study populations of animals at very large scales for monitoring purposes. Population indices are widely used in these extensive monitoring programs because they are inexpensive compared to estimates of absolute abundance. A crucial underlying assumption is that the population index (C) is directly proportional to the population density (D). The proportionality constant, β, is simply the probability of ‘detection’ for animals in the survey. As spatial and temporal comparisons of indices are crucial, it is necessary to also assume that the probability of detection is constant over space and time. Biologists intuitively recognize this when they design rigid protocols for the studies where the indices are collected. Unfortunately, however, in many field studies the assumption is clearly invalid. We believe that the estimation of detection probability should be built into the monitoring design through a double sampling approach. A large sample of points provides an abundance index, and a smaller sub‐sample of the same points is used to estimate detection probability. There is an important need for statistical research on the design and analysis of these complex studies. Some basic concepts based on actual avian, amphibian, and fish monitoring studies are presented in this article. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
High gain, low noise, fully complementary logic inverter based on bi-layer WSe2 field effect transistors

In this article, first, we show that by contact work function engineering, electrostatic doping and proper scaling of both the oxide thickness and the flake thickness, high performance p- and n-type WSe2 field effect transistors (FETs) can be realized. We report record high drive current of 98 μA/μm for the electron conduction and 110 μA/μm for the hole conduction in Schottky barrier WSe2 FETs. Then, we combine high performance WSe2 PFET with WSe2 NFET in double gated transistor geometry to demonstrate a fully complementary logic inverter. We also show that by adjusting the threshold voltages for the NFET and the PFET, the gain and the noise margin of the inverter can be significantly enhanced. The maximum gain of our chemical doping free WSe2 inverter was found to be ∼25 and the noise margin was close to its ideal value of ∼2.5 V for a supply voltage of VDD = 5.0 V.
L1 and L8 intermediate asymptotics for scalar conservation laws

In this paper, using entropy techniques, we study the rate of convergence of nonnegative solutions of a simple scalar conservation law to their asymptotic states in a weighted L1 norm. After an appropriate rescaling and for a well chosen weight, we obtain an exponential rate of convergence. Written in the original coordinates, this provides intermediate asymptotics estimates in L1, with an algebraic rate. We also prove a uniform convergence result on the support of the solutions, provided the initial data is compactly supported and has an appropriate behaviour on a neighborhood of the lower end of its support.
Toward the optimized assessment of clinical outcomes in studies of novel treatments for Alzheimer’s disease

ABSTRACT Introduction Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is characterized by a progressive decline in cognition and daily function, leading to a greater need for caregiver support. Clinical disease is segmented into a preclinical stage, mild cognitive impairment, and mild, moderate, and severe stages of Alzheimer’s dementia. Although AD trials enroll participants at various stages of illness, treatment efficacy is often assessed using endpoints based on measures of outcomes that are held fixed across disease stages. We hypothesize that matching the primary outcomes measured in the endpoint hierarchy to the stage of disease targeted by the trial will increase the likelihood of detecting true treatment benefits. Areas covered We discuss current approaches to assessing clinical outcomes in AD trials, followed by a consideration of how effect detection can be improved by linking the stage of AD to the endpoints that most likely reflect stage-specific disease progression. Expert opinion Failing to account for stage-specific relevance and sensitivity of clinical outcomes may be one factor that contributes to trial failures in AD. Given the history of failure, experts have begun to scrutinize the relevance and sensitivity of outcomes as a potentially modifiable barrier to successful trials. To this end, we present a framework for refining trial endpoint selection and evaluation.
Rapamycin improves the quality and developmental competence of in vitro matured oocytes in aged mice and humans

Women over age 35 suffer from the inadequate number and poor quality of oocytes during assisted reproductive treatment, and making full use of the oocytes by in vitro maturation (IVM) is crucial. Rapamycin could improve the developmental competences of the post-maturation oocytes during in vitro aging, yet its effects on the IVM process of oocytes from an aged population were not clear. In this study, the immature oocytes from aged mice or older women underwent IVM with or without 10 nM rapamycin, followed by parthenogenetic activation or insemination and embryo culture. The developmental competence and quality of IVM oocytes in both groups were compared. The results showed that in aged mice, the maturation rate, activation rate, and cleavage rate of IVM oocytes were significantly elevated in the rapamycin group. Additionally, oocytes cultured with rapamycin presented decreased ROS levels, reduced chromosome aberration, and attenuated levels of γ-H2AX. During IVM of oocytes from older women, the GVBD rate, 24 h maturation rate, and 48 h maturation rate were increased in the rapamycin group, compared with those in the control group, although without significant differences. After intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) and further culture of human oocytes, the high-quality embryo rate in the rapamycin group was significantly elevated. Overall, rapamycin improved IVM outcomes of oocytes from aged mice and older women. The specific mechanism of the positive effects of rapamycin on IVM outcomes might be reducing ROS levels, mitigating DNA damage, and promoting developmental potential.
Management of acute severe hypertension in youth: from the philosophical to the practical

Purpose of review Acute severe hypertension remains an uncommon but important source of morbidity and mortality in youth. However, there has been very little progress made in our understanding of how to best manage youth with acute severe hypertension to improve patient outcomes. Recent findings Our understanding of what is acute severe hypertension is undergoing a philosophical change. Management of patients with acute severe hypertension is evolving towards more of a risk and outcomes-based approach. Summary We should be intentional when we consider whether a patient has acute severe hypertension and if they are truly at an increased risk for life-threatening target organ injury. We should consider their specific risk factors to best interpret the risks and benefits of how best to treat a patient with acute severe hypertension, rather than relying on traditional approaches and conventional wisdom. We should always ask ‘why’ when we are pursuing a given management course. Future studies should clearly define the research questions they are investigating to best advance the field to ultimately improve patient outcomes.
N‐homocysteinylation of α‐synuclein promotes its aggregation and neurotoxicity

The aggregation of α‐synuclein plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD). Epidemiological evidence indicates that high level of homocysteine (Hcy) is associated with an increased risk of PD. However, the molecular mechanisms remain elusive. Here, we report that homocysteine thiolactone (HTL), a reactive thioester of Hcy, covalently modifies α‐synuclein on the K80 residue. The levels of α‐synuclein K80Hcy in the brain are increased in an age‐dependent manner in the TgA53T mice, correlating with elevated levels of Hcy and HTL in the brain during aging. The N‐homocysteinylation of α‐synuclein stimulates its aggregation and forms fibrils with enhanced seeding activity and neurotoxicity. Intrastriatal injection of homocysteinylated α‐synuclein fibrils induces more severe α‐synuclein pathology and motor deficits when compared with unmodified α‐synuclein fibrils. Increasing the levels of Hcy aggravates α‐synuclein neuropathology in a mouse model of PD. In contrast, blocking the N‐homocysteinylation of α‐synuclein ameliorates α‐synuclein pathology and degeneration of dopaminergic neurons. These findings suggest that the covalent modification of α‐synuclein by HTL promotes its aggregation. Targeting the N‐homocysteinylation of α‐synuclein could be a novel therapeutic strategy against PD.
Selective Lanthanide-Organic Catalyzed Depolymerization of Nylon-6 to ε-Caprolactam.

Nylon-6 is selectively depolymerized to the parent monomer ε-caprolactam by the readily accessible and commercially available lanthanide trisamido catalysts Ln(N(TMS)2)3 (Ln = lanthanide). The depolymerization process is solvent-free, near quantitative, highly selective, and operates at the lowest Nylon-6 to ε-caprolactam depolymerization temperature reported to date. The catalytic activity of the different lanthanide trisamides scales with the Ln3+ ionic radius, and this process is effective with post-consumer Nylon-6 as well as with Nylon-6 + polyethylene, polypropylene or polyethylene terephthalate mixtures. Experimental kinetic data and theoretical (DFT) mechanistic analyses suggest initial deprotonation of a Nylon terminal amido N-H bond, which covalently binds the catalyst to the polymer, followed by a chain-end back-biting process in which ε-caprolactam units are sequentially extruded from the chain end.
Phenotypic expansion of KCNJ13-associated snowflake vitreoretinal degeneration

ABSTRACT Introduction: An 18-year old highly myopic woman presented with bilateral retinoschisis associated with a unilateral macular hole in the right eye and vitreomacular traction in the left eye. Methods: Genetic studies disclosed a heterozygous pathogenic variant in the KCNJ13 gene was identified (c.484C>T (p.Arg162Trp)), consistent with a diagnosis of snowflake vitreoretinal degeneration (SVD). Results: While there were no corneal guttata, juvenile cataracts, or perivascular sheathing in this case, salient features of SVD included a fibrillar vitreous structure, crystalline retinopathy, and flattened optic nerves. The patient developed a FTMH in the left eye at 17 months follow up, followed by a rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) requiring 2 surgical repairs. Conclusion: This case expands on the spectrum of clinical features in SVD, including retinoschisis and FTMH. It also characterizes optical coherence tomography findings in this rare disease entity. We emphasize the importance of using panel-based genetic testing to clinically distinguish and further define atypical vitreoretinopathies.
Granulomatous secondary syphilis: Another diagnostic pitfall for the dermatopathologist

Syphilis is growing ever more prevalent in the United States with its incidence rising every year. Dermatopathologists need to maintain a high index of suspicion to avoid delayed diagnosis of this treatable disease. Accordingly, it is imperative to be aware of its myriad of presentations—including secondary syphilis with granulomatous inflammation. Most cases show aggregations of epithelioid histiocytes associated with plasma cells. Other patterns include an interstitial granuloma‐annulare‐like pattern, sarcoidal, and tuberculoid pattern. Immunohistochemical stains for Treponema pallidum may be negative, especially in late secondary or tertiary syphilis. We present a case of nodular secondary syphilis with granulomatous inflammation with negative T. pallidum staining.
Performance of Coons’ Macroelements in Plate Bending Analysis

This paper proposes a general procedure to develop arbitrary noded-plate macroelements with C1-continuity based on Coons’ interpolation formula. The novelty of the proposed approach lies in the fact that the degrees of freedom appear only along the boundaries of the quadrilateral patch and are used for the successful calculation of displacements and relevant stresses. The boundary nodes are being interpolated using univariate Hermitian polynomials, thus allowing bivariate global shape functions to be automatically produced. The proposed macroelement, which will be hereafter called COPE (Coons’ Plate Element), provides comparable results with closed-form analytical solutions in six benchmark plate-bending cases.
A new model for the infrared brightness of the Galaxy

We present a model that reproduces the near-infrared brightness distribution of the Galaxy, and we compare its predictions with the results of the Spacelab observations obtained by Kent et al. and the COBE DIRBE experiment. We examine characteristics of nearby spiral galaxies as a guide for a consistent description of the bulge, the bar and spiral arms. A Monte Carlo method is used to generate a 3D model of each component of the Galaxy; the density flux contribution of the pseudo-stars created in this way is then added in a longitude versus latitude grid to produce contour maps and brightness profiles. We estimate the mass of the components, based on a calibration of the flux density per unit mass for the characteristic stellar population of each component. We find that the brightness of the disc is better reproduced by the Freeman radial density profile, which presents a central hole, than by a classical disc with exponential profile extending to the centre. We show that the rotation curve obtained from the mass distribution of the model is consistent with the observed one.
Dynamic analysis of lathe bed of woodworking CNC machining center based on the modeling of joint surface

Based on the finite element theory, a joint-plane modeling method is employed to connect the corresponding nodes at the joint surface of the woodworking computer numerical control (CNC) machining center bed with a 2-node 12-degree-of-freedom unit. A spatial element model is established, which can show the state of the nodes between joint surfaces when they are stretched, compressed, or twisted; and it can help build a woodworking CNC machining center on a finite element model of bed with the characteristics of the joint surface. The simulated analysis is performed on the model and is compared with the result of simulated analysis on the bed model that ignores the characteristics of the joint surface and modal experiment. The comparison verifies the effectiveness of the modeling method based on the characteristics of the joint surface. The weak link of the machine bed structure is analyzed and optimized. The natural frequency of the bed is improved by2.55% ~ 11.3%. The displacement is reduced by a maximum of 19.4%, and dynamic performance of the bed is improved.
Real-time characterization of damage in ceramic matrix composites using IR thermography and acoustic emission

Infrared thermography is one of several non-destructive testing techniques which can be used for detection of damage in materials such as ceramic matrix composites. The purpose of this study is to apply a non-destructive methodology for analyzing the thermal effects in ceramic matrix composites caused by cyclic loading. Mechanical stresses induced by cyclic loading cause heat release in the composite due to failure of the interface, which results in increasing the material's temperature. The heat wave, generated by the thermo-mechanical coupling, and the intrinsic energy dissipated during mechanical cyclic loading of the sample were detected by an infrared camera. The results were correlated with acoustic emission events.
The Utility of Sodium Channel Provocation in Unexplained Cardiac Arrest Survivors and Electrocardiographic Predictors of Ventricular Fibrillation Recurrence

Background: The implications of a drug-induced type 1 Brugada ECG pattern following sodium channel blocker provocation (SCBP) are not fully understood. Methods: Baseline clinical and ECG data were obtained from consecutive unexplained cardiac arrest survivors undergoing SCBP at 3 centers. A further 15 SCBP positive (SCBP+) unexplained cardiac arrest survivors were recruited from 3 additional centers to explore ventricular fibrillation recurrence. Results: A total of 121 consecutive unexplained cardiac arrest survivors underwent SCBP. The yield of the drug-induced type 1 Brugada ECG pattern was 17%. A baseline type 2/3 Brugada pattern (T2/3BP) (adjusted odds ratio, 19.36 [2.74–136.61]; P=0.003) and PR interval (odds ratio, 1.03 [1.01–1.05] per ms; P=0.017) were independent predictors of SCBP+ response. A pathogenic SCN5A variant was identified in 36% of the SCBP+ group versus 0% in the SCBP− group (P<0.001). Amongst SCBP+ patients, a spontaneous type 1 Brugada pattern was identified in 19% during follow up and in 24% a type 1 Brugada pattern was identified in a relative. Prior syncope (adjusted hazard ratio, 3.83 [1.36–10.78]; P=0.011) and the presence of global early repolarization (hazard ratio, 7.91 [3.22–19.44]; P<0.001) were independent predictors of 5-year ventricular fibrillation recurrence. There was a nonsignificant trend toward greater 5-year ventricular fibrillation recurrence in the SCBP− group (23/95 [24%] versus 3/34 [9%]; P=0.055). Conclusions: The yield of the drug-induced type 1 Brugada ECG pattern in consecutive unexplained cardiac arrest survivors undergoing SCBP is 17%. A baseline T2/3BP and PR interval were independent predictors of the drug-induced type 1 Brugada ECG pattern. Greater heritability of BrS phenotype in this group was evidenced by a greater prevalence of pathogenic SCN5A variants and relatives with a type 1 Brugada pattern. A history of prior syncope and the presence of global early repolarization were independent predictors of ventricular fibrillation recurrence.
Estimating smooth monotone functions

Many situations call for a smooth strictly monotone function f of arbitrary flexibility. The family of functions defined by the differential equation D 2f =w Df, where w is an unconstrained coefficient function comprises the strictly monotone twice differentiable functions. The solution to this equation is f = C0 + C1 D−1{exp(D−1w)}, where C0 and C1 are arbitrary constants and D−1 is the partial integration operator. A basis for expanding w is suggested that permits explicit integration in the expression of f. In fitting data, it is also useful to regularize f by penalizing the integral of w2 since this is a measure of the relative curvature in f. Applications are discussed to monotone nonparametric regression, to the transformation of the dependent variable in non‐linear regression and to density estimation.
White hyperkeratotic plaque in a patient with infantile spasms

An 8-month-old female presented for evaluation of congenital skin lesions. She was born full-term from healthy, nonconsanguineous parents. She was undergoing assessment by neurology for infantile spasms with arm abduction and crying. Physical examination revealed three oval, white plaques located on the lower extremities (Figures 1 and 2). They were well-defined with a rough, hyperkeratotic and a slightly scaly surface. She also had seven achromic elongated, oval macules and patches on the back. A skin biopsy was performed from a hyperkeratotic lesion on the leg (Figures 3 and 4).
On the Chemical Homogeneity of the 30 Doradus H II Region and a Local Enrichment by Wolf-Rayet Stars

Emission-line strengths have been obtained at 10 positions in the outer regions of the 30 Dor nebula and analyzed in the standard way. There are two major results: (1) the elemental abundances for nine of the outer regions are remarkably similar to those previously measured in the core. This result implies the spectra of the cores and halos of giant H II regions (subject to the different ionizing radiation fields) are analyzed correctly by the standard methods. Hence measurements of extragalactic H II regions with poor spatial resolution correctly represent the abundances of the whole nebula. The O/H ratio in 30 Dor, by number, is 0.30 solar. The Ne/O, S/O, Ar/O, and Cl/O are close to solar. The gas-phase Fe/O is about 0.2 solar, which probably implies that most of the iron is within solid grains. The He/H is 0.0810 as shown by each of the three strong lines available. One region is cool and rich in helium and all other heavy elements except nitrogen. The spectrum of the region does not resemble that of a supernova remnant in that the forbidden O I and S II lines are not nearly strong enough. The abundances can be explained fairly wellmore » as over 10 solar masses of H-poor material ejected during the evolution of a single massive (about 80 solar masses) star during its late O-star and Wolf-Rayet phases. 32 references. « less