Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Novel pathways in fatty-acid induced apoptosis in the pancreatic beta-cell

Pancreatic P-cell death is a critical event in the pathogenesis of all forms of diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is caused by the combination of acquired factors such as elevated circulating fatty acids as well as genetic factors. In this study, we show that the free fatty acid palmitate increases markers of endoplasmic stress and apoptosis in pancreatic P-cells. Carboxypeptidase E (CPE), an enzyme involved in the processing of insulin, was identified as the major down-regulated protein spot during palmitate-induced apoptosis using Cy-dye 2D gel proteomics in both the MIN6 P-cell line and human islets. Using MIN6 cells treated with 1.5 mM palmitate complexed to BSA (6:1), a significant decrease in total carboxypeptidase E protein was confirmed through Western blots. The decrease in CPE was seen in the presence of palmitate at both low and high glucose and was not affected in high glucose alone or with the ER-stress inducer, thapsigargin. Palmitate-induced changes in carboxypeptidase E were present after 2 hours, while CHOP, a marker of ER-stress, was not expressed until after 6 hours of incubation, suggesting that the decrease in CPE occurs before ER-stress. This finding, together with experiments using protein synthesis inhibitors and RT-PCR suggested that CPE was likely regulated at the post-translational level. Treatment with the non-metabolizable palmitate, 2-bromopalmitate, did not decrease CPE expression and delayed P-cell death. Addition of the L-type Ca 2 + channel blocker nifedipine to palmitate-treated MIN6 cells restored CPE protein levels, reduced ER-stress, and rescued P-cells from cell death. The calpain inhibitor E64D also reversed the palmitate-induced decrease in CPE, further implicating Ca-dependent proteolysis pathways. This inhibitor however increased ERstress on its own and did not prevent ER-stress or P-cell death induced by palmitate. Interestingly, islets from CPE mutant mice exhibited increased TUNEL labeling, suggesting elevated apoptosis in vivo. Isolated CPE-deficient islets demonstrated increased CHOP and cleaved caspase-3 levels compared to control mice. The effects of palmitate on ER-stress and apoptosis were not additive to those of CPE deficiency. On the other hand, P-cells over-expressing CPE were resistant to palmitate-induced ERstress and apoptosis. Together, these results show that palmitate markedly lowers CPE protein in the cell in a Ca-dependent manner, potentially through Ca-dependent proteases, such as the calpains. In addition, a lack of CPE appears to increase the susceptibility of the P-cell to CHOP induction and apoptosis. Conversely, overexpression of CPE protects P-cells from ER-stress and apoptosis induced by palmitate. These findings suggest that CPE represents a novel link between hyperlipidemia and pcell death in diabetes.
Late Quaternary Vegetational History of the Central Highlands of Sumatra. II. Palaeopalynology and Vegetational History

Late Quaternary pollen records are described from two swamps at c. 1500 m a.s. l. in the Sumatran Highlands. At Danau di Atas (DDA) the record extends back to c. 31,000 BP. At Telago (TEL) the record extends back to c. 9000 BP. The results suggest that, in the Late Pleistocene, vegetation zones were depressed, and a gymnospermrich rainforest, now found only above 1800 m, surrounded DDA. At times upper montane forest may have been close to the site, suggesting a vegetational depression of c. 800 m. Mean annual temperature may have been c. 1.6? C to c. 5.2? C cooler than now. There is no direct evidence of formerly drier climates, although a possible reduction of water levels in the Late Pleistocene is suggested. During the Holocene, there is evidence for disturbance of rainforests, possibly by man, from a date some time after c. 8200 BP. Extensive recent forest clearance is demonstrated.
Accurate ECG Signal Processing

The first practical ECG was invented by Willem Einthoven in the early 1900’s. The system was bulky and required many people to operate it. The patient had to submerge his arms and legs into large electrode jars which contained an electrolyte solution. Present day ECG monitoring devices are compact and portable so they can be worn by a patient as he or she moves around. A 12-lead ECG for home use can be carried around in a pocket.
Mortality of Prairie Falcons during the fledging-dependence period

We monitored the survival of 152 radio-tagged Prairie Falcon (Falco mexicanus) nestlings from 37 broods through the fledging-dependence period in southwestern Idaho during 1992 and 1993. Mortality rates were high but consistent between years, 28% in 1992 and 34% in 1993, despite a significant decline in the primary prey of falcons in 1993. Predation by Great Horned Owls (Bubo virginianus) was the primary cause of mortality. To a lesser extent, mortality was influenced by the presence of hematophagous ectoparasites (Haematosiphon inodorus) in aeries. We were unable to find or show an effect of parental behavior (territory attendance and prey delivery rates) during the late brood-rearing period, hatching date, brood size or fledging mass on mortality. The frequency of predation in our study may have negated or diminished the influences of these factors. Survivorship was lower during the fledging-dependence period than during the incubation or nestling periods.
On Accurately Resolving Detonation Dynamics by Adaptive Finite Volume Method on Unstructured Grids

Long time simulations are needed in the numerical study of the Zeldovich-Neumann-D¨oring model, in which the quality resolving the dynamics of the detonation front is crucial. The numerical error introduced from the inappropriate outﬂow boundary condition and the mesh resolution are two main factors qualitatively affecting the dynamics of the detonation front. In this paper we improve the numerical framework in [15] by introducing the Strang splitting method and a new h -adaptive method with a feature based a posteriori error estimator. Then a cheap numerical approach is proposed to sharply estimate a time period, in which the unphysical inﬂuence on the detonation front can be avoided effectively. The sufﬁciently dense mesh resolution can be guaranteed around the detonation front and in the reaction zone by the proposed h -adaptive method. The numerical results show that the proposed method is sufﬁciently robust even for long time calculations, and the quality dynamics of the detonation can be obtained by the proposed numerical approach.
Antioxidant Activities of Mulberry (Morus alba L.) Leaf Extracted with Different Concentrations of EtOH

Antioxidant activities of mulberry leaf extracted with different concentrations of EtOH were investigated. Total phenolic content and electron donating abilities of extract from 70% EtOH were the highest. Extracts obtained from EtOHwater mixture were shown to be significantly higher superoxide dismutase (SOD)-like activities than other treatment (p＜0.05). Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition was the greatest at 50% EtOH concentration (p＜0.05). The extracts from 30-70% EtOH exhibited higher ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP) value than rest of the concentration (p＜0.05). In case of nitrite scavenging activity, much higher scavenging activities were observed when the extraction was performed with EtOH or EtOH-water mixture (p＜0.05). The results indicate that concentration of EtOH as extraction solvents can affect the antioxidant activity of mulberry leaf, which may provide useful information on the optimal solvent conditions for the extraction.
Morphological, rheological and electrical properties of composites filled with carbon nanotubes functionalized with 1-pyrenebutyric acid

Non-covalent functionalization of Multi Wall Carbon Nanotubes (MWCNTs) could provide a solution for preserving their electronic structure facilitating the nanocomposite process preparation. Functionalization of MWCNTs by π-stacking interaction between nanofiller and a pyrene derivative has been explored. The rheological properties of filled epoxy resins highlight very interesting benefits from this kind of functionalization. Besides its peculiar capability for preventing agglomeration in the nanofiller dispersion step, it also efficiently contributes to a decrease in the viscosity of the nanocomposites; hence contrasting one of the most relevant drawback related to the manufacturing processes of the nanocomposites at MWCNTs loading rates beyond the Electrical Percolation Threshold (EPT). Because no damage of MWCNTs occurs, sp hybridization of carbon atoms is preserved together with the π-electron delocalization typical of polynuclear aromatic rings. Consequently, no deterioration in the electrical properties are detected; the measured EPT values are typical of nanocomposites containing embedded unfunctionalized MWCNTs (lower than 0.28 wt%), whereas for the electrical conductivity beyond the EPT, an enhancement is observed.
A review of the pharmacogenomics of buprenorphine for the treatment of opioid use disorder

As the opioid epidemic continues to grow across the United States, the number of patients requiring treatment for opioid use disorder continues to climb. Although medication-assisted treatment presents a highly effective tool that can help address this epidemic, its use has been limited. Nonetheless, with easier dosing protocols (compared to the more complex dosing required of methadone due to its long and variable half-life) and fewer prescribing limitations (may be prescribed outside the setting of federally approved clinics), the increase in buprenorphine use in the United States has been dramatic in recent years. Despite buprenorphine’s demonstrated efficacy, patient-specific factors can alter the response to the medications, which may lead to treatment failure in some patients. Clinical characteristics (sex, concurrent medications, and mental health comorbidities) as well as social determinants of health (housing status, involvement with the criminal justice system, and socioeconomic status) may impact treatment outcomes. Furthermore, a growing body of data suggests that genetic variations can alter pharmacological effects and influence therapeutic response. This review will cover the available pharmacogenomic data for the use of buprenorphine in the management of opioid use disorders. Pharmacogenomic determinants that affect opioid receptors, the dopaminergic system, metabolism of buprenorphine, and adverse events are discussed. Although much of the existing data comes from observational studies, clinical research is ongoing. Nevertheless, the development of pharmacogenomic-guided strategies has the potential to reduce opioid misuse, improve clinical outcomes, and save healthcare resources.
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory Recent Work Title Dissolution-Assisted Pattern Formation During Olivine Carbonation

Olivine and pyroxene‐bearing rocks in the oceanic crust react with hydrothermal fluids producing changes in the physical characteristics and behaviors of the altered rocks. Notably, these reactions tend to increase solid volume, reducing pore volume, permeability, and available reactive surface area, yet entirely hydrated and/or carbonated rocks are commonly observed in the field. We investigate the evolution of porosity and permeability of fractured dunites reacted with CO2‐rich solutions in laboratory experiments. The alteration of crack surfaces changes the mechanical and transport properties of the bulk samples. Analysis of three‐dimensional microstructural data shows that although precipitation of secondary minerals causes the total porosity of the sample to decrease, an interconnected network of porosity is maintained through channelized dissolution and coupled carbonate precipitation. The observed microstructure appears to be the result of chemo‐mechanical coupling, which may provide a mechanism of porosity maintenance without the need to invoke reaction‐driven cracking. Plain Language Summary When carbon dioxide reacts with certain minerals, it can be transformed into solid carbonate minerals. These carbonate minerals can be deposited at the site of the interaction between the fluid and the solid. It is often assumed that the armoring of surfaces by the products of such a reaction will shut down the reaction in a self‐limiting fashion. However, rocks that are the result of the complete conversion of reactive minerals to carbonate and other minerals via interaction with carbon dioxide are observed in nature. This paper presents the results of experiments designed to constrain the mechanism allowing such reactions to proceed to completion. We find that a coupled dissolution‐precipitation process results in the formation of a system of channels in the rock that allow continuous fluid access to solid surfaces. This result is essential for the complete understanding of fluid‐rock interactions in natural systems and may be important to consider when modeling geological carbon storage by mineral carbonation.
A REVIEW OF LOW-CYCLE FATIGUE OF CORRODED STEEL BARS

Low-cycle fatigue (LCF) represents an important material degradation phenomenon that may compromise structural performance under strong earthquakes. A large number of studies have been performed over the past two decades to fully understand and model the LCF behaviours of steel reinforcement, including the combined effects of corrosion and buckling on LCF. This paper presents a critical review of the experimental and theoretical work to forge a converging view on the influential factors of the low-cycle fatigue behaviour with an emphasis on corroded rebars. Testing protocols, major experimental findings, and model development were reviewed. The review finds that the objective of experimental studies has been extended from the sole prediction of fatigue life to more thorough characterization of cyclic behaviours such as strength and stiffness degradation, energy dissipation, and pinching in hysteresis loops, whereas the LCF model has become a submodule of steel rebar’s constitutive law under cyclic loadings. It is also found that corrosion does not only reduce the fatigue life drastically, but also significantly affects strength degradation and energy dissipation. Moreover, the presence of corrosion aggravates the synergetic effects of buckling on LCF. It is suggested that future studies should aim to establish LCF model based on measurement of pitting corrosion (e.g., pit depth), rather than that of general corrosion.
Salix viminalis males maintain higher photosynthetic capacity than females under high temperature stress

Sexual-specific photosynthetic responses to high temperature stress were investigated in the dioecious species, Salix viminalis. The males and females of S. viminalis were cultivated for 7 weeks in greenhouse, afterwards they were processed to high temperature in climate box. Half of the plants were exposed to 40C/30C (day/night temperature) which increased stepwise (5C every 48 h), while the other half were maintained at 25C /15C served as a control. Seven days later, photosynthetic physiological parameters in leaves of S. viminalis were analysed. The high temperature treatment caused significant reduction of net photosynthetic rate (PN) in S. viminalis, but male plants showed obviously higher PN than female plants. The Fv/Fm value was relatively stable and no obvious difference was detected between male and female plants, indicating the photosynthetic light reaction was not inhabited and both male and female plants possess functional PS II under high temperature. In photosynthetic carbon cycle, the activity of Rubisco declined and the higher activity of the enzyme in males than females revealed that inhibition of photosysthesis occurred and the photosysthesis in males were less inhibited under high temperature. In addition, Carotenoids (Car) content increased and the content of male plants was higher than that of females, which stated that the high temperature could cause photoprotective response and the photoprotection ability were stronger for males. These findings suggest that male plants of S. viminalis could maintain higher photosynthetic capacity under high temperature stress, thus male plants should be selected when breeding heat-resistance species according to photosynthetic parameters.
Two Strongly Truthful Mechanisms for Three Heterogeneous Agents Answering One Question

Peer prediction mechanisms incentivize self-interested agents to truthfully report their signals even in the absence of verification by comparing agents’ reports with their peers. We propose two new mechanisms, Source and Target Differential Peer Prediction, and prove very strong guarantees for a very general setting. Our Differential Peer Prediction mechanisms are strongly truthful: Truth-telling is a strict Bayesian Nash equilibrium. Also, truth-telling pays strictly higher than any other equilibria, excluding permutation equilibria, which pays the same amount as truth-telling. The guarantees hold for asymmetric priors among agents, which the mechanisms need not know (detail-free) in the single question setting. Moreover, they only require three agents, each of which submits a single item report: two report their signals (answers), and the other reports her forecast (prediction of one of the other agent’s reports). Our proof technique is straightforward, conceptually motivated, and turns on the logarithmic scoring rule’s special properties. Moreover, we can recast the Bayesian Truth Serum mechanism [20] into our framework. We can also extend our results to the setting of continuous signals with a slightly weaker guarantee on the optimality of the truthful equilibrium.
Iterative thermodynamic modelling—Part 1: A theoretical scoring technique and a computer program (Bingo‐Antidote)

This paper introduces the software solution Bingo‐Antidote for thermodynamic calculations at equilibrium based on iterative thermodynamic models. It describes a hybrid strategy combining the strength of Gibbs energy minimization (GEM) and inverse thermobarometry models based on the comparison between the modelled and observed mineral assemblage, modes and compositions. The overall technique relies on quantitative compositional maps acquired by electron probe micro‐analyser for obtaining a mutually consistent set of observed data such as bulk rock and mineral compositions. Thus it offers the opportunity to investigate metamorphic rocks on a microscale. The scoring part Bingo integrates three statistical model quality factors Qasm for the assemblage, Qvol for the mineral modes, Qcmp for the mineral compositions combined in a global evaluation criterion Qtotal that quantifies how the model reproduces the observations for the investigated volume. The input parameters of GEM affecting the model quality such as pressure, temperature and eventually some components of the bulk composition (e.g. the molar amount of hydrogen, carbon or oxygen) or activity variables of fluids and gases (e.g. aH2O , aCO2 , f(O2)) can be optimized by inversion in Antidote using several mapping stages followed by a direct search optimization. Examples of iterative models based on compositional maps processed with Bingo‐Antidote demonstrate the utility of the program. In contrast to the qualitative interpretation of phase diagrams, the inversion maximizes the benefits of GEM and permits the derivation of statistically ‘optimal’ pressure–temperature conditions for well‐equilibrated samples. In addition, Bingo‐Antidote opens new avenues for petrological investigations such as the generation of chemical potential landscape maps.
Pediatric Pulmonology

Correspondence Shmuel Goldberg MD, Pediatric Pulmonology, Shaare Zedek Medical Center, P.O. B. 3235, 91301 Jerusalem, Israel. Email: sgoldberg@szmc.org. il Abstract Background and Objective: Few studies have examined the possibility of a link between birth season and the risk for asthma. Those studies that mainly focused on young children, reached different conclusions regarding both the existence of such a link and the season with the highest risk. The purpose of this study was to reinvestigate the relationship between birth season and asthma in a very large cohort, larger than in all previous studies, focusing on adolescents. Methods: The medical records of consecutive 17‐year‐old conscripts, born between 1978 and 1999, undergoing medical evaluation before their military service, were reviewed. The prevalence of asthma among conscripts was calculated according to the season of birth. Results: Data from 6 26 460 males and 4 54 104 females were collected. Asthma prevalence was 6.6% of the males and 5.8% of the females. Asthma prevalence was highest among those born in the summer and was approximately 9% higher in women and 6% higher in men than those born in the winter. Those born in the winter had the lowest prevalence of asthma. June was the birth month with the highest prevalence of asthma in both genders together with September among males. Conclusions: Being born in the summer, especially in June, is associated with an increased risk of asthma compared with a winter birth among Israeli army conscripts. Further research is required to determine the impact of the season of birth on the risk of asthma in higher risk populations.
Soil constraints and management in relation to the distribution of available macro and micronutrients in sugarcane growing soil profiles of semi arid tropical region of Telangana

The study was carried out to assess the nutrient status of sugarcane growing red, red laterite and black soils of Medak district of Telangana State for proper appraisal of their productivity potential and their rational use. The soil pH was ranging from neutral to strongly alkaline (6.5 to 9.2) and non-saline in nature. The organic carbon content varied from medium to high (4.3 to 8.4 g kg) in surface horizons. The CaCO3 was in the range of 1.3 to 7.8 per cent in surface horizons. The sub surface horizons were moderately calcareous. The CEC of soils was low to high (7.7 to 65.2 c mol (p) kg). The exchangeable bases were in the order of Ca > Mg > Na > K on the exchange complex. Low exchangeable Na and K percentage was noticed in all the pedons as the exchange complex was dominated by divalent cations like Ca and Mg. The BSP ranged from 35.21 to 87.40% in surface and 21.17 to 95.52 per cent sub surface horizons. Profile wise nutrient status in sugarcane growing soils revealed that the soils were low to medium in available nitrogen (246.0 297 kg ha), medium to high in available phosphorus (16.3 to 58.94 kg ha) in red and black soils, high in available potassium (285 to 415 kg ha) in surface horizons. The available phosphorus content was low to medium in red laterite soils pedons varied from 20.4 to 36.9 kg ha. The available sulphur content of the pedons was high. The DTPA extractable available micronutrients Zn, Cu, Mn, and Fe were ranged from 0. 49 to 1.65 mg kg, 0.94 to 2.80 mg kg, 7.16 to 20.15 mg kg and 7.66 to 25.30 mg kg soil respectively. The hot water soluble B content varied from 0.51 to 1.99 mg kg. Soils are deficient to sufficient in Zn and sufficient in available Cu, Fe and Mn in the surface layers of the soil profiles. Soil constraints were identified using soil test data which include texture, erosion, slope, depth, drainage and low organic carbon, low availability of N, P and micronutrients.