Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Role of Nutrient-Sensing Signals in the Pathogenesis of Diabetic Nephropathy

Diabetic nephropathy is the leading cause of end-stage renal disease worldwide. The multipronged drug approach still fails to fully prevent the onset and progression of diabetic nephropathy. Therefore, a new therapeutic target to improve the prognosis of diabetic nephropathy is urgently required. Nutrient-sensing signals and their related intracellular machinery have evolved to combat prolonged periods of starvation in mammals; and these systems are conserved in the kidney. Recent studies have suggested that the activity of three nutrient-sensing signals, mTORC1, AMPK, and Sirt1, is altered in the diabetic kidney. Furthermore, autophagy activity, which is regulated by the above-mentioned nutrient-sensing signals, is also altered in both podocytes and proximal tubular cells under diabetic conditions. Under diabetic conditions, an altered nutritional state owing to nutrient excess may disturb cellular homeostasis regulated by nutrient-responsible systems, leading to exacerbation of organelle dysfunction and diabetic nephropathy. In this review, we discuss new findings showing relationships between nutrient-sensing signals, autophagy, and diabetic nephropathy and suggest the therapeutic potential of nutrient-sensing signals in diabetic nephropathy.
From Photohulls to Photoflux Optimization

Our work was inspired by recent advances in image segmentation where fluxbased functionals significantly improved alignment of obje ct boundaries. We propose a novel photoflux functional for multi-view 3D reconstruction that is closely related to properties of photohulls. Our photohull prior can be combined with regularization. Thus, this work unifies two ma jor groups of multiview stereo techniques: “space carving” and “deformable models”. Our approach combines benefits of both groups and allows to recov er fine shape details without oversmoothing while robustly handling noise. Photoflux provides data-driven ballooning force that helps to segment thin structures or holes. Photoflux maximizing shapes can be also seen as regula rized Laplacian zero-crossings [3]. We discuss several versions of photoflux functional based on global, local, or non-deterministic visibility mo dels. Some forms of photoflux can be easily added into standard regularizatio n techniques. For other forms we propose new optimization methods.
Fungal succession and diversity in ectomycorrhizal associations: a case study approach.

This paper examines fungal succession among ectomycorrhiza-forming fungi by reviewing several studies. The first group of studies confirmed that common nursery fungi were replaced by other species over time. The second series of experiments showed that the root system underwent a succession of fungi as the stand aged. Fungi were apparently associated with certain parts of the root system: the youngest roots with early-succession species and the older part of the root system with later-stage species. The next series of studies showed that disturbing tree roots of existing plants changed the fungal species that formed mycorrhizas on roots of newly planted seedlings adjacent to the existing plants. Other studies showed that the removal of the surface layers of the forest floor increased both fungal species richness and abundance of fruiting bodies. However, the increase in fruiting body production was observed to occur primarily in early succession fungal species. Finally, it was shown that the youngest stands had few very abundant fungal species, with other species present in low to very low quantities. Over time, the fungal population changed with more species present, but the roots were still dominated by relatively few species.
Clinical Mutual Attunement and the Development of Therapeutic Process: A Preliminary Study

Despite the identification of many factors that play a central role in the development of the psychotherapy process, there is still a lack of evidence about the basic relational mechanisms that pave the way to its working. In this pilot study, we focus on nonverbal microprocessual attunement as the basic mechanism grounding the displacing of discrete factors in shaping the clinical process. Two single sessions of two short-term psychodynamic treatments, selected respectively from a good- and a poor-outcome treatment, have been coded in terms of patient and therapist speech rate, coordination in ruptures, resolution of the therapeutic alliance, and patient's displayed thinking processes. Two dynamic structural equation models focusing on clinical attunement as a factor able to activate the interplay of the assessed clinical dimensions have been theoretically designed and tested in both cases. The driven theoretical structural equation models fit the data, suggesting a different role of nonverbal attunement as a moderating factor. The obtained results are consistent with the hypothesis claiming that a good-outcome psychotherapy session is characterized by a mechanism of clinical attunement that enforces the therapist–patient relationship and promotes the integration of formal thinking processes that affect emotional and cognitive domains.
Biomass burning influence on high-latitude tropospheric ozone and reactive nitrogen in summer 2008: a multi-model analysis based on POLMIP simulations

Abstract. We have evaluated tropospheric ozone enhancement in air dominated by biomass burning emissions at high latitudes (> 50° N) in July 2008, using 10 global chemical transport model simulations from the POLMIP multi-model comparison exercise. In model air masses dominated by fire emissions, ΔO3/ΔCO values ranged between 0.039 and 0.196 ppbv ppbv−1 (mean: 0.113 ppbv ppbv−1) in freshly fire-influenced air, and between 0.140 and 0.261 ppbv ppbv−1 (mean: 0.193 ppbv) in more aged fire-influenced air. These values are in broad agreement with the range of observational estimates from the literature. Model ΔPAN/ΔCO enhancement ratios show distinct groupings according to the meteorological data used to drive the models. ECMWF-forced models produce larger ΔPAN/ΔCO values (4.47 to 7.00 pptv ppbv−1) than GEOS5-forced models (1.87 to 3.28 pptv ppbv−1), which we show is likely linked to differences in efficiency of vertical transport during poleward export from mid-latitude source regions. Simulations of a large plume of biomass burning and anthropogenic emissions exported from towards the Arctic using a Lagrangian chemical transport model show that 4-day net ozone change in the plume is sensitive to differences in plume chemical composition and plume vertical position among the POLMIP models. In particular, Arctic ozone evolution in the plume is highly sensitive to initial concentrations of PAN, as well as oxygenated VOCs (acetone, acetaldehyde), due to their role in producing the peroxyacetyl radical PAN precursor. Vertical displacement is also important due to its effects on the stability of PAN, and subsequent effect on NOx abundance. In plumes where net ozone production is limited, we find that the lifetime of ozone in the plume is sensitive to hydrogen peroxide loading, due to the production of HOx from peroxide photolysis, and the key role of HO2 + O3 in controlling ozone loss. Overall, our results suggest that emissions from biomass burning lead to large-scale photochemical enhancement in high-latitude tropospheric ozone during summer.
The Scientometrics of Nature

Nature is a weekly journal of multidisciplinary sciences with a huge range of followers in the scientific community. The purpose of the study is to analyse the citations of the full research articles published in Nature journal from 2006 to 2015. During this period Nature has published 8335 research articles. In the study the weightage of the research articles published in Nature were measured through immediacy index comparison of the research articles to the overall journal. The authorship pattern of the articles were measured and a cited references study was also conducted for measuring the self citations generated by Nature each year,the references per articles present and identifying core cited journals by Nature and their respective subject areas, which libraries in turn may use for collection development policies. Ranking of contributing countries and contributing organizations were also made by % share of article contribution. To check if any kind of biasness is present in Nature publications, a comparative evaluation of top contributing countries has also been made based on Nature Index. Web of Science core collection was used as the data source and Bibexcel bibliometric tool was used for data analysis purpose.
The association between cingulate cortex glutamate concentration and delay discounting is mediated by resting state functional connectivity

Humans vary in their ability to delay gratification and impulsive decision making is a common feature in various psychiatric disorders. The level of delay discounting is a relatively stable psychological trait, and therefore neural processes implicated in delay discounting are likely to be based on the overall functional organization of the brain (under task‐free conditions) in which state‐dependent shifts from baseline levels occur. The current study investigated whether delay discounting can be predicted by intrinsic properties of brain functioning. Fourteen healthy male subjects performed a delay discounting task. In addition, resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and magnetic resonance spectroscopy (¹H MRS) were used to investigate the relationship between individual differences in delay discounting and molecular and regional measures of resting state (baseline) activity of dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC). Results showed that delay discounting was associated with both dACC glutamate concentrations and resting state functional connectivity of the dACC with a midbrain region including ventral tegmental area and substantia nigra. In addition, a neural pathway was established, showing that the effect of glutamate concentrations in the dACC on delay discounting is mediated by functional connectivity of the dACC with the midbrain. The current findings are important to acknowledge because spontaneous intrinsic brain processes have been proposed to be a potential promising biomarker of disease and impulsive decision making is associated with several psychiatric disorders.
Individual differences in three-dimensional object recognition: An event-related optical topography study.

In this study, we examined whether individual differences in the capacity of spatial information processing (spatial span) relate to view-dependence / invariance in 3-D object recognition in the two experiments. In Experiment 1, according to the scoring of a spatial span task (Shah & Miyake, 1996), ten participants with a high spatial span score and ten participants with a low spatial span score were assigned to high and low spatial span groups, respectively. The results indicated that only the low spatial span group showed a view-dependence in the high cognitive load condition (number of targets) of the 3-D object discrimination task. In Experiment 2, we measured the homodynamic changes in the bilateral occipital-temporal region of human visual cortex in a 3-D object discrimination task with high cognitive load. The oxy- and deoxyhemoglobin change indicated that the high span group increased activity in the inferior parietal and temporal region with increasing the angle of viewpoint change as opposed to the low span group. In addition, the amount of relative increase in oxy-hemoglobin of high-span group was significantly larger than the contralateral region in the left inferior occipital-temporal region. This region considered as include the fusiform gyrus , which maintain view-invariant representation in the left hemisphere and view-dependent representation in the right hemisphere (Vuilleumier, Henson, Driver, & Dolan, 2002). These results indicated that there are behaviorally and neuro physiologically distinct individual differences in 3-D object recognition between groups with the high and low spatial span. This suggested that individual differences in spatial span could be one of the factors which affect the 3-D object recognition.
Seeing the Unheard: Heritage Learners of Spanish and Photo-Diary Pedagogy

ABSTRACT In response to calls to increase Spanish language learners’ awareness of the relationship among power, language, and status in their communities and inspired by participatory research techniques, this article reports on the implementation of a photo-diary project with heritage and L2 learners in a basic-level Spanish language course. Students took part in critical reflections and dialogues related to the status of local varieties of Spanish and Spanish-English bilingualism in their surrounding communities. For this project, objectives were twofold: to address the frequent disconnect in Spanish heritage learner contexts between the classroom and local Spanish-speaking communities and to engage all learners in crucial reflections on the socially constructed hierarchies of language use in their daily lives. We assert that culturally responsive pedagogical tools challenge students to acknowledge familial and community voices and reconsider those voices as culturally and historically authoritative.
Cognitive reactivity as a risk factor for depression onset and recurrence. A meta-analysis

Cognitive Reactivity (CR) is the extent to which an individual experiences a negative shift in cognitive content and processes during a sad mood. CR has been hypothesized as a risk factor for depression onset and/or recurrence, and literature suggests that there is a difference in CR magnitude between euthymic formerly-depressed (FD) and never-depressed (ND) participants in an experimental session. In addition, a number of studies have assessed whether CR is predictive of depressive relapse. The current analysis aimed to summarize the results of studies on CR in adults and attempt to explain the variance that exists in the available research. Analyzing k=23 studies the analysis found a significant difference between FD and ND groups in CR (Hedges g=0.566), where the results were moderated by how CR was measured and by the methodological quality of the study. A second analysis of k=7 studies found that CR is predictive of depressive relapse (Hedges g=0.320) but the low number of studies that have researched this limits this analysis. Overall the results provide further evidence of CR as a risk factor for both depression onset and recurrence.
Founder heterozygous P23T CRYGD mutation associated with cerulean (and coralliform) cataract in 2 Saudi families

Purpose To assess for γD-crystallin (CRYGD) mutation in 2 Saudi patients with cerulean cataract and in a brother of one of the patients who had coralliform cataract. Methods Patients and all of their available relatives underwent ophthalmic examination and subsequent sequencing of the candidate gene CRYGD. Results In the first family, a 4-year-old boy with bilateral cerulean cataract and his 6-year-old brother with similar bluish lens discoloration but in a coralliform pattern were heterozygous for the p.P23T CRYGD mutation. Their father and 2 older brothers, all of whom underwent childhood cataract surgery, also harbored the mutation while the 2 asymptomatic immediate family members did not. In the second family, a 7-year-old girl with bilateral cerulean cataract was heterozygous for the same CRYGD mutation. Details of her family history were limited. The patients in the two families shared a common disease haplotype. Conclusions This first report of p.P23T CRYGD mutation underlying cerulean cataract in the Saudi population strongly supports the mutation’s relation with the phenotype. Coralliform cataract can represent variable expressivity for the same mutation rather than a distinct entity.
Factors predicting trust between GPs and OPs

Abstract Purpose To study possible differences in trust between general practitioners (GPs) and occupational physicians (OPs) and the explanatory factors for trust. Insight into the factors predicting trust can improve programmes for stimulating the co-operation of GPs and OPs. Theory On the basis of theories of trust and of social identity theory we expected, (1) in both professions a higher level of knowledge-based trust than of identification-based trust, (2) a relationship between higher levels of identification-based trust and higher frequency of contact, (3) OPs to have a higher level of identification-based trust than GPs. We hypothesised (4) that OPs perceiving an equal status have higher levels of trust and (5) GPs perceiving a higher status have lower levels of trust. Methods A mail survey sent to 2297 doctors (1728 GPs and 569 OPs) of which we used 547 questionnaires. Results Hypotheses 1 and 2 were supported. Hypothesis 3 was not supported. Hypotheses 4 and 5 were supported for knowledge-based trust. On the basis of these findings it is possible that co-operation between the two groups is still in its early stages. Conclusions Programmes to improve the co-operation of GPs and OPs should focus on equalising status and stimulating contacts to build (identification-based) trust.
Enhancing scalability of parallel structured AMR calculations

We discuss parallel performance of structured adaptive mesh refinement calculations using the SAMRAI library. We focus on fundamental aspects of adaptive gridding and dynamic computation of changing data dependencies. Previous analysis of performance of large-scale parallel adaptive calculations revealed poor scaling in these operations. Specifically, we found that these operations are inexpensive for small problems, but that their costs can become unacceptable for problems run on large numbers of processors. This paper describes subsequent developments involving graph- and tree-based algorithms that reduce runtime complexity and substantially increase scalability. We characterize performance on realistic adaptive problems using up to 512 processors of an IBM SP system and up to 1024 processors of a Linux cluster.
Fractal dynamics in physiology: Alterations with disease and aging

According to classical concepts of physiologic control, healthy systems are self-regulated to reduce variability and maintain physiologic constancy. Contrary to the predictions of homeostasis, however, the output of a wide variety of systems, such as the normal human heartbeat, fluctuates in a complex manner, even under resting conditions. Scaling techniques adapted from statistical physics reveal the presence of long-range, power-law correlations, as part of multifractal cascades operating over a wide range of time scales. These scaling properties suggest that the nonlinear regulatory systems are operating far from equilibrium, and that maintaining constancy is not the goal of physiologic control. In contrast, for subjects at high risk of sudden death (including those with heart failure), fractal organization, along with certain nonlinear interactions, breaks down. Application of fractal analysis may provide new approaches to assessing cardiac risk and forecasting sudden cardiac death, as well as to monitoring the aging process. Similar approaches show promise in assessing other regulatory systems, such as human gait control in health and disease. Elucidating the fractal and nonlinear mechanisms involved in physiologic control and complex signaling networks is emerging as a major challenge in the postgenomic era.
The likelihood ratio and frequency of DQ2/DQ8 haplotypes in Iranian patients with celiac disease

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the likelihood ratio and frequency of DQ2 and DQ8 in Iranian patients with celiac disease (CD). Background: The HLA DQ2 and HLA DQ8 are the important mediators in the development of celiac disease. A few studies evaluated the frequency of HLA DQ2 and HLA DQ8 haplotypes among the Iranian population with low sample size. Patients and methods: In this cross-sectional study, to predict HLA–DQ2 and DQ8 haplotypes, 141(73 male, 78 female) confirmed CD patients compared to 151 healthy controls were enrolled into this study during 2013-2014. HLA DQ2/ DQ8 haplotypes was determined in cases and controls using PCR-SSP technique. Results: DQ2 and DQ8 were positive in 80% (n=111) and 49% (n= 69) of CD patients and 36% (n=61) and 13% (n=21) of control group respectively. Moreover, 32% (n=45) of CD patients and 5.3% (n=8) of the control group were carrier of both haplotypes. In the case group about one-third of patients (32.2%) were positive for carrying both DQ2 and DQ8 heterodimers while only 5.3% (n=8) of the control group were carrier. In addition, the positive likelihood ratio of DQ2 and DQ8 were 1.74 (CI: 1.4- 2.1), and 2.6 (CI: 1.8– 2.7), respectively. Conclusion: The result of this study showed that the frequency of DQ8 among our population is higher than those reported by European countries, but it is close to those founded in South America and Middle East. This result suggests that the higher prevalence of HLA DQ8 pattern in Iranian CD patients is similar to non-European patients.
Identification of Marine Neuroactive Molecules in Behaviour-Based Screens in the Larval Zebrafish

High-throughput behavior-based screen in zebrafish is a powerful approach for the discovery of novel neuroactive small molecules for treatment of nervous system diseases such as epilepsy. To identify neuroactive small molecules, we first screened 36 compounds (1–36) derived from marine natural products xyloketals and marine isoprenyl phenyl ether obtained from the mangrove fungus. Compound 1 demonstrated the most potent inhibition on the locomotor activity in larval zebrafish. Compounds 37–42 were further synthesized and their potential anti-epilepsy action was then examined in a PTZ-induced epilepsy model in zebrafish. Compound 1 and compounds 39, 40 and 41 could significantly attenuate PTZ-induced locomotor hyperactivity and elevation of c-fos mRNA in larval zebrafish. Compound 40 showed the most potent inhibitory action against PTZ-induced hyperactivity. The structure-activity analysis showed that the OH group at 12-position played a critical role and the substituents at the 13-position were well tolerated in the inhibitory activity of xyloketal derivatives. Thus, these derivatives may provide some novel drug candidates for the treatment of epilepsy.
The energy density of martensitic thin films via dimension reduction

Martensitic thin films have recently attracted much interest because of their applications in the construction of actuators, sensors and micromachines. These technological applications have generated a new interest in nonlinear membranes theories. The purpose of the present paper is to obtain, by means of a rigorous dimension reduction, the energy density of a thin film, and hence to deduce a membrane model capable of describing the microstructure observed in martensitic materials. Phase transformations have been successfully modelled within the theory of non-linear elasticity by Ball and James [5]. Within this approach, equilibrium configurations are found by minimizing the total free energy of the body. In the spirit of the works on dimension reduction (see for instance [1, 3]) we start by considering the total free energy
Sys-tem support for background replication

Apparatus for adjusting the length of a safety belt includes a base into which the end of a first safety belt portion and the end of a second safety belt portion are fed. The first safety belt portion is fed inward, around an elongated cylindrical member slidably mounted to the base and between the elongated cylindrical member and a portion of the base, so that it may be gripped therebetween. A spring is included for urging the elongated member in a gripping direction and into a gripping position relative to that portion of the base. The end of the second safety belt portion is secured to another portion of the base. Adjusting the belt involves slidably moving the elongated member against the force of the spring away from its associated base portion and sliding the first belt portion therebetween, to be gripped in another position.