Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
QRFP and Its Receptors Regulate Locomotor Activity and Sleep in Zebrafish

The hypothalamus plays an important role in regulating sleep, but few hypothalamic sleep-promoting signaling pathways have been identified. Here we demonstrate a role for the neuropeptide QRFP (also known as P518 and 26RFa) and its receptors in regulating sleep in zebrafish, a diurnal vertebrate. We show that QRFP is expressed in ∼10 hypothalamic neurons in zebrafish larvae, which project to the hypothalamus, hindbrain, and spinal cord, including regions that express the two zebrafish QRFP receptor paralogs. We find that the overexpression of QRFP inhibits locomotor activity during the day, whereas mutation of qrfp or its receptors results in increased locomotor activity and decreased sleep during the day. Despite the restriction of these phenotypes to the day, the circadian clock does not regulate qrfp expression, and entrained circadian rhythms are not required for QRFP-induced rest. Instead, we find that QRFP overexpression decreases locomotor activity largely in a light-specific manner. Our results suggest that QRFP signaling plays an important role in promoting sleep and may underlie some aspects of hypothalamic sleep control. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT The hypothalamus is thought to play a key role in regulating sleep in vertebrate animals, but few sleep-promoting signaling pathways that function in the hypothalamus have been identified. Here we use the zebrafish, a diurnal vertebrate, to functionally and anatomically characterize the neuropeptide QRFP. We show that QRFP is exclusively expressed in a small number of neurons in the larval zebrafish hypothalamus that project widely in the brain. We also show that QRFP overexpression reduces locomotor activity, whereas animals that lack QRFP signaling are more active and sleep less. These results suggest that QRFP signaling participates in the hypothalamic regulation of sleep.
Climate Variability and Water Resources Degradation in Kenya: Improving Water Resources Development and Management

This report attempts to fill that gap for two of the most important water-related issues facing the effects of climate variability and the steady degradation of the nation's water resources. The study reported here concluded that the El Nino-La Nina episode from 1997-2000 cost the country Ksh 290 billion (about 14 percent of GDP during that period). During El Nino-induced floods, this cost primarily arises from destruction of infrastructure such as roads, water supply infrastructure, and pipe networks. The largest costs incurred during the La Nina droughts (1998-2000) were from loss of industrial production and other costs arising from reduced hydropower generation, as well as from crop and livestock losses. These costs are felt throughout Kenyan society.
Dissociating semantic and phonological contributions of the left inferior frontal gyrus to language production

While the involvement of the left inferior frontal gyrus (IFG) in language production is undisputed, the role of specific subregions at different representational levels remains unclear. Some studies suggest a division of anterior and posterior regions for semantic and phonological processing, respectively. Crucially, evidence thus far only comes from correlative neuroimaging studies, but the functional relevance of the involvement of these subregions during a given task remains elusive. We applied repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) over anterior and posterior IFG (aIFG/pIFG), and vertex as a control site, while participants performed a category member and a rhyme generation task. We found a functional‐anatomical double dissociation between tasks and subregions. Naming latencies were significantly delayed in the semantic task when rTMS was applied to aIFG (relative to pIFG and vertex). In contrast, we observed a facilitation of naming latencies in the phonological task when rTMS was applied to pIFG (relative to aIFG and vertex). The results provide first causal evidence for the notion that anterior portions of the IFG are selectively recruited for semantic processing while posterior regions are functionally specific for phonological processing during word production. These findings shed light on the functional parcellation of the left IFG in language production.
Plastic but repeatable: rapid adjustments of mitochondrial function and density during reproduction in a wild bird species

Most of the energy fluxes supporting animal performance flow through mitochondria. Hence, inter-individual differences in performance might be rooted in inter-individual variations in mitochondrial function and density. Furthermore, because the energy required by an individual often changes across life stages, mitochondrial function and density are also expected to show within-individual variation (i.e. plasticity). No study so far has repeatedly measured mitochondrial function and density in the same individuals to simultaneously test for within-individual repeatability and plasticity of mitochondrial traits. Here, we repeatedly measured mitochondrial DNA copy number (a proxy of density) and respiration rates from blood cells of female pied flycatchers (Ficedula hypoleuca) at the incubation and chick-rearing stages. Mitochondrial density and respiration rates were all repeatable (R = [0.45-0.80]), indicating high within-individual consistency in mitochondrial traits across life-history stages. Mitochondrial traits were also plastic, showing a quick (i.e. 10 days) down-regulation from incubation to chick-rearing in mitochondrial density, respiratory activity, and cellular regulation by endogenous substrates and/or ATP demand. These downregulations were partially compensated by an increase in mitochondrial efficiency at the chick-rearing stage. Therefore, our study provides clear evidence for both short-term plasticity and high within-individual consistency in mitochondrial function and density during reproduction in a wild bird species.
Proposed fluvial island classification scheme and its use for river restoration

Fluvial islands are present in nearly all natural and regulated rivers. They are important from hydrological, biological, geopolitical and socio‐economic points of view. As ubiquitous as islands are, consideration of islands is relatively absent in most river restoration concepts. The natural river processes that allow for island formation can easily be integrated into typical river classifications. To begin, an island classification scheme is proposed that can become a tool for improved river classifications and restoration projects. In developing an island classification scheme, the objectives are similar to those of previous river classification methods. By observing island characteristics, inductive generalizations may be made about the river's hydrologic and ecologic potential. In river hierarchies, the distinguishing variables used to describe streams were characteristics that could easily be discerned from their appearances, i.e. field‐determinable features. A similar approach is sought for island classification. The distinguishing characteristics of any island may be sorted into three basic categories: those that can be measured from a topographic map or an aerial photograph; those that can be measured in situ at the island and those that can be inferred from either a known history of the island or from the other characteristics of the island. Once all the suitable characteristics were identified, a matrix for island classification was created which can be used to classify island origin and type. The better that the inter‐relationship between island formation, channel processes and watershed processes are understood, the better the natural bio‐physical regime of the river corridor can be identified and incorporated into restoration plans. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effects of in utero and postnatal exposure to secondhand smoke on lung function by gender and asthma status: The Seven Northeastern Cities

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MYELOID NEOPLASIA Evolution of acute myelogenous leukemia stem cell properties after treatment and progression

wasassessedby limitingdilutionanalyses. LSC populations were identified using fluorescent-labeled cell sorting and transplantation into immuno-deficient NOD/SCID/interleukin 2 receptor g chain null mice. The surface antigen expression profiles of pretherapy and postrelapse LSCs were determined for published LSC markers. We demonstrate a 9- to 90-fold increase in LSC frequency between diagnosis and relapse. LSC activity at relapse was identified in populations of leukemic blasts that did not demonstrate this activity before treatment and relapse. In addition, we describe genetic instability and exceptional phenotypic changes that accompany the evolution of these new LSC populations. This study is the first to characterize the evolution of LSCs in vivo after chemotherapy, identifying a dramatic change in the physiology of primitive AML cells when the disease progresses. Taken together, these findings provide a new frame of reference by which to evaluate candidate AML therapies in which both disease control and the induction of more advanced forms of disease should be considered. ( Blood . 2016;128(13):1671-1678) LSCs have been proposed, including CD123, 6,7 CD32, 8 CD33, 9 CD45RA, 10 CD47, 11 CD96, 12 CD99, 13 IL1RAP, 14 and TIM-3. 15 Recent studies have identi ﬁ ed increasing intrapatient and interpatient heterogeneity of AML LSC populations. 16-19 A direct assessment of intrapatient evolution of LSCs that may occur during disease pathogenesis and/or treatment has not been reported. We investigated the frequency and surface antigen phenotypes of functionally de ﬁ ned LSCs in paired primary human AML samples at diagnosis and in relapse. Surprisingly, we found that LSC frequencies and phenotypic diversity are much greater at relapse than before initial therapy. Our data indicate that current AML therapeutic regimens may promote dramatic changes in the LSC compartment. A better understanding of how these changes occur will aid in the development of novel therapeutics for patients with relapsed disease.
Molecular Dynamics Study of Structure, Folding, and Aggregation of Poly-PR and Poly-GR Proteins

Poly-proline-arginine (poly-PR) and poly-glycine-arginine (poly-GR) proteins are believed to be the most toxic dipeptide repeat (DPR) proteins that are expressed by the hexanucleotide repeat expansion mutation in C9ORF72, which are associated with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) diseases. Their structural information and mechanisms of toxicity remain incomplete, however. Using molecular dynamics simulation and all-atom model of proteins, we study folding and aggregation of both poly-PR and poly-GR. The results indicate formation of double-helix structure during the aggregation of poly-PR into dimers, whereas no stable aggregate is formed during the aggregation of poly-GR; the latter only folds into a -helix and double-helix structures that are similar to those formed in the folding of poly-glycine-alanine (poly-GA) protein. Our ﬁndings are consistent with the experimental data indicating that poly-PR and poly-GR are less likely to aggregate because of the hydrophilic arginine residues within their structures. Such characteristics could, however, in some respect facilitate migration of the DPR proteins between and within cells and, at the same time, give proline residues the beneﬁts of activating the receptors that regulate ionotropic effect in neurons, resulting in death or malfunction of neurons because of the abnormal increase or decrease of the ion transmission. This may explain the neurotoxicities of poly-PR and poly-GR associated with many neurodegenerative diseases. To our knowledge, this is the ﬁrst molecular dynamics simulation of the phenomena involving poly-PR and poly-GR proteins. poly-PR and poly-GR. To our knowledge, this is the ﬁrst molecular simulation of the phenomena involving poly-PR and poly-GR proteins.
Inorganic geochemistry of the type Caradoc series (Sandbian to middle Katian, Upper Ordovician), Onny valley, Shropshire, UK

Abstract The geochemistry and petrology of the type section of the Caradoc Series in the Onny valley indicate that it was deposited on a marginal basin continental shelf similar to the western side of the present Sea of Japan. The lower beds form a transgressive–regressive sequence in which the rocks become less mature upwards. All the coarser sediments above the basal quartzites and conglomerates are greywackes in which the apparent muddy and ferrous matrix is due to the breakdown of unstable minerals and particles. Higher values of Na2O and Na/K ratios are found in the coarser shallow-water sandstones of the Horderley Sandstone Formation and decrease markedly in the succeeding beds, accompanied by an increase in K2O. Higher values of carbonate-corrected (and hence related) other major and minor elements like SiO2, CaO, P2O5, MnO and most trace elements correlate with the transgressive systems and maximum flooding surfaces of the three sequences recognized where they are related to condensation at those horizons. Chemical Indices of Alteration (CIA) suggest that the Horderley Sandstone Formation underwent greater predepositional physical weathering than lower and higher beds, which is compatible with the petrography, and were deposited during a cool phase within overall warm Sandbian–Katian times. Trace element ratios suggest an oxic to suboxic depositional environment.
Variation in xylem structure and function in stems and roots of trees to 20 m depth.

• To assess hydraulic architecture and limitations to water transport across whole trees, we compared xylem anatomy, vulnerability to cavitation (Ψ50 ) and specific hydraulic conductivity (Ks ) of stems, shallow roots and deep roots (from caves to 20 m depth) for four species: Juniperus ashei, Bumelia lanuginosa, Quercus fusiformis and Quercus sinuata. • Mean, maximum and hydraulically weighted (Dh ) conduit diameters and Ks were largest in deep roots, intermediate in shallow roots, and smallest in stems (P < 0.05 for each). Mean vessel diameters of deep roots were 2.1-4.2-fold greater than in stems, and Ks was seven to 38 times larger in the deep roots. • Ψ50 also increased from stems to roots with depth, as much as 24-fold from stems to deep roots in B. lanuginosa. For all species together, Ψ50 was positively correlated with both Dh and Ks , suggesting a potential trade-off exists between conducting efficiency and safety. • The anatomical and hydraulic differences documented here suggest that the structure of deep roots minimizes flow resistance and maximizes deep water uptake.
New approach in the kinematic k−2 source model for generating physical slip velocity functions

SUMMARY In an attempt to improve the ground motion modelling, the characteristics of the slip velocity functions (SVF) generated using the kinematic k−2 source are investigated and compared to the dynamic solutions proposed in the literature. Several numerical simulations were performed to test the influence of the model parameters on the SVF modelling. Overall, the shapes of SVF are very complex and exhibit a large variability in time and space. However, we found out that the mean SVF is a simple boxcar with duration equal to the largest rise time value. In the areas of weak slip, the SVFs are characterized by the existence of negative values, whereas in large slip areas, the SVF is more impulsive. Overall, on the examples investigated, the SVFs modelled with this k−2 source model are different from a typical Kostrov's solution. The critical analysis of the kinematic k−2 source led us to identify the Fourier decomposition of the slip to be responsible for these difficulties, and to propose a new recombination scheme. It consists of adding a positive correction to the Fourier slip components. The slip is described as the sum of positive contributions at various scales. The SVFs modelled using this new scheme are greatly improved. Moreover, through several parametrical analyses performed to qualify this new approach, we show that the SVF are corrected while preserving the essential quality of the k−2 modelling, that is, the ω2 spectral shape and Cd apparent directivity of the synthetic accelerograms. Strong ground motion modelling in the near-fault region was made and numerical ground motion parameters were compared to the empirical relationships. We show that predicted peak ground motion is consistent with near-source attenuation laws.
Characteristics of AVIRIS bands measurements in agricultural crops at Blythe area, California: V. studies on alfalfa spectral data

The present study is focusing on the following main objectives that are: 1) to compare the spectral and radiometric characteristics of AVIRIS data from Alfalfa crops with the spectra measured by FieldSpecR ASD radiometer; 2) to study the impact of growth regulators that applied on alfalfa in comparison of data collected from AVIRIS seen and; 3) to build a spectral library for the alfalfa crop that exposed to growth regulators that were studied. AVIRIS data from Blythe were acquired in June 1997 to study the agricultural spectra from different crops and for identification of crops in other areas with similar environmental factors and similar spectral properties. On June 26-28, 2001 spectra were collected from Alfalfa fields using the FieldSpecR ASD spectrometer at Blythe area, California (at the 114o 33.52 W Longitude and 33o 39.76 N Latitude to Longitude 114o 33.54 W and Latitude 33 39.88 N). The alfalfa crop fields were treated with different chemicals of growth regulators. These growth regulators were AuxiGro, Apogee and Messenger. These chemicals were used in different concentrations. Environmental parameters were studied such as the soil water content (WC), pH, and organic matter (OM). The results of this study showed that there is a significant correlation between the data that were collected by AVIRIS image scene in 1997 and spectral data collected by the FieldSpec spectrometer in the same places that were scanned by AVIRIS. This correlation allowed us to build a spectral library to be used in ENVI-IDL software. Furthermore, using IDL algorithms of Spectral Angle Mapper classification (SAM), Spectral Feature Fitting (SFF) and Spectral Binary Encoding (SPE) showed an excellent agreement between the traced spectra from the AVIRIS image and the spectral radiometer data collected from the alfalfa crops treated with growth regulators (i.e. the correlation is between 75 - 94% match). Three widely used vegetation indices such as NDVI, WBI, and PRI, showed that there are significant correlations between WBI and NDVI (r2= 0.44 - 0.88 for alfalfa crops treated by growth regulators. Further use of the AVIRIS images can be of a value to crops identification or crops yield for commercial use.
A top to bottom evaluation of IRI 2007 within the polar cap

Monthly median values of ionospheric peak height (hmF2) and density (NmF2), derived from ionosonde measurements at four Canadian High Arctic Ionospheric Network (CHAIN) stations situated within the polar cap and Auroral Oval, are used to evaluate the performance of the International Reference Ionosphere (IRI) 2007 empirical ionospheric model during the recent solar minimum between 2008 and 2010. This analysis demonstrates notable differences between IRI and ionosonde NmF2 diurnal and seasonal behavior over the entire period studied, where good agreement is found during summer periods but otherwise errors in excess of 50% were prevalent, particularly during equinox periods. hmF2 is found to be marginally overestimated during winter and equinox nighttime, while also being underestimated during summer and equinox daytime by in excess of 25%. These errors are shown to be related to significant mismodeling of the M(3000)F2 propagation factor. The ionospheric bottomside thickness parameter (B0) is also evaluated using ionosonde measurements. It is found that both of the IRI's internal B0 models significantly misrepresent both seasonal and diurnal variations in bottomside thickness when compared to ionosonde observations, where errors at times exceed 40%. A comparison is also presented between IRI and Resolute (74.75N, 265.00E) Advanced Modular Incoherent Scatter Radar (AMISR)‐derived topside thickness. It is found in this comparison that the IRI is capable of modeling ionospheric topside thickness exceptionally well during winter and summer periods but fails to represent significant diurnal variability during the equinoxes and seasonal variations.
Telephone intervention in self-care practices with the feet of patients with diabetes: a randomized clinical trial*

* Extracted from the dissertation: “A análise do uso de intervenção telefônica, realizada por enfermeiro, no autocuidado para prevenção do pé diabético”, Programa de Pós-Graduação Ciências e Saúde, Universidade Federal do Piauí, 2020. 1 Universidade Federal do Piauí, Picos, PI, Brazil. 2 Universidade Estadual do Piauí, Picos, PI, Brazil. 3 Universidade da Integração Internacional da Lusofonia Afro-Brasileira, Redenção, CE, Brazil. 4 Universidade Estadual do Ceará, Departamento de Enfermagem, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil. 5 Universidade Federal do Piauí, Departamento de Enfermagem, Teresina, PI, Brazil. ABSTRACT Objective: To assess the effect of a telephone intervention for self-care practices with the feet of people with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Method: This is a randomized clinical trial with two groups, control and intervention, carried out with 102 users with type 2 diabetes mellitus linked to four Basic Health Units in a municipality in the state of Piauí. For the intervention group, six telephone interventions were carried out in three months; and the control group received only conventional follow-up. For assessment, a form was applied before and after the intervention period. Results: In the intragroup analysis, when comparing self-care practices with the feet in the control group in the preand post-tests, there was no significant difference (p > 0.05); in the intervention group, there was an increase in self-care practices in 70% of the items, with p < 0.001 to 0.03. When analyzing the practice of intergroup self-care after the telephone intervention, the positive effect of the intervention was evidenced, obtaining statistically significant differences in 60% of the items, with a value of p < 0.001 to 0.031. Conclusion: The telephone intervention promoted greater adherence to self-care practices with the feet of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Brazilian Clinical Trials Registry: RBR-3pq5th.
Fe(II)/Fe(III) ‘green rust’ developed within ochreous coal mine drainage sediment in South Wales, UK

Abstract ‘Green rusts’ are a group of reduced Fe hydroxides with a pyroaurite-like structure. In a new occurrence, green rust is present as a 45−60 mm thick band which lies just below the surface (~4 mm) of an ochreous deposit at an abandoned coal mine site. The sample is characterized by the presence of μm-sized hexagonal crystals which have been identified from SEM imaging. Chemical analyses reveal an Fe(II):Fe(III) ratio which is close to the characteristic 2:1 ratio, and XRD analysis identifies the material by characteristic lattice spacings. The green rust layer also contains aragonite which is not present in the surrounding ochre. Green rusts are important as they have the potential to be used in water treatment.