Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
CODATA Recommended Values of the Fundamental Physical Constants: 2018.

We report the 2018 self-consistent values of constants and conversion factors of physics and chemistry recommended by the Committee on Data of the International Science Council. The recommended values can also be found at physics.nist. gov/constants. The values are based on a least-squares adjustment that takes into account all theoretical and experimental data available through 31 December 2018. A discussion of the major improvements as well as inconsistencies within the data is given. The former include a decrease in the uncertainty of the dimensionless fine-structure constant and a nearly two orders of magnitude improvement of particle masses expressed in units of kg due to the transition to the revised International System of Units (SI) with an exact value for the Planck constant. Further, because the elementary charge, Boltzmann constant, and Avogadro constant also have exact values in the revised SI, many other constants are either exact or have significantly reduced uncertainties. Inconsistencies remain for the gravitational constant and the muon magnetic-moment anomaly. The proton charge radius puzzle has been partially resolved by improved measurements of hydrogen energy levels.
Isotopic variation in the lake water balance at the Yamdruk‐tso basin, southern Tibetan Plateau

The use of stable isotopes is a practical tool in the study of the lake water budget. This is an one way to study the hydrological cycle in the large numbers of inland lakes on the Tibetan Plateau, in which the isotope record of the sediment is believed to reflect the climatic and environmental changes. The monitoring of stable isotopes of the precipitation, river and lake waters during 2004 in the inland Yamdruk‐tso basin, southern Tibetan Plateau, reveals the lake water δ18O is over 10‰ higher than the local precipitation. This high difference indicates strong isotope enrichment due to lake water evaporation. The simulation results based on the isotope technique show that the present lake water δ18O level corresponds to an average relative humidity of around 54–58% during evaporation, which is very close to the instrumental observation. The simulation results also show that the inland lakes on the Tibetan Plateau have a strong adjustability to the isotope shift of input water δ18O. On average, the isotope component in the inland lake water is to a large extent controlled by the local relative humidity, and can also be impacted by a shift of the local precipitation isotope component. This is probably responsible for the large consistence in the isotope component in the extensive inland lakes on the Tibetan Plateau. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Nd isotopic gradients in upper crustal magma chambers: Evidence for in situ magma-wall-rock interaction

Multiple Nd isotopic analyses were obtained for one metaluminous and two peralkaline Tertiary rhyolitic ash-flow tuffs in the Great Basin to determine whether upper crustal silici magmas chemically evolve under closed- or open-system conditions. All the ash-flow tuffs analyzed show significant internal Nd isotopic variations. The largest variations occur within the peralkaline Double-H Mountains Tuff ({epsilon}{sub Nd} = +2.0 to +6.4) at the McDermitt volcanic field in north-central Nevada, and the smallest within the metaluminous Topopah Spring Tuff ({epsilon}{sub Nd} = {minus}10.6 to {minus}11.7) at the southwestern Nevada volcanic field. In all cases the isotopic variation are correlated with magmatic Nd contents, even though the Nd concentrations decreased roofward for the metaluminous rhyolite and increased for the peralkaline rhyolites. The consistent positive correlation between [Nd] and {epsilon}{sub Nd} provides strong evidence for in situ open-system addition of low {epsilon}{sub Nd} wall-rock material to the silicic magmas during their residence in the upper crust. The proportion of wall-rock Nd required to produce the isotopic zonations is small (1 to 15 mol%) for both the peralkaline and metaluminous rhyolites. All levels of the parental magmas sampled by the ash-flow tuffs, and not just magma occupying the roof zone, were open to wall-rockmore » interaction. These results suggest that upper crustal silicic magma bodies evolve under open-system conditions and the effects of such processes should be addressed in models for their chemical differentiation. « less
Étude floristique et ethnobotanique des plantes médicinales utilisées au niveau de la préfecture d’Agadir-Ida-Outanane (Maroc)

Objectif : Cette etude ethnobotanique a ete menee dans la prefecture d’Agadir Ida-Outanane afin de recueillir des informations sur les usages therapeutiques des plantes medicinales pratiquees dans cette region. Methodologie et resultats : A l’aide de 270 fiches questionnaires, une serie d’enquetes ethnobotaniques a ete realisee durant les annees 2012 et 2013, et a ete menee en collaboration avec la population locale. L’etude a ete completee par l’identification au laboratoire des echantillons de l’herbier collecte. Le depouillement des resultats a permis d’inventorier 98 especes appartenant a 93 genres et 46 familles dont les plus importantes par leur nombre d’especes sont : les Lamiaceae, les Fabaceae, les Apiaceae, les Poaceae et les Asteraceae. Le thym ( Thymus satureioides ) est l’espece la plus utilisee par la population locale. Les resultats obtenus dans cette etude ont aussi montre que le feuillage constitue la partie la plus utilisee suivi par les graines. Les recettes sont essentiellement preparees par decoction ou en poudre. En outre, parmi l’ensemble des maladies traitees, les affections digestives sont les plus frequentes. Conclusion et application de la recherche : Les enquetes effectuees ont permis d’inventorier les especes medicinales et de collecter un maximum d’informations concernant les usages therapeutiques traditionnelles locales. Par ailleurs, ces resultats peuvent etre consideres comme une source d’information pour les recherches scientifiques dans le domaine de la phytochimie, et de la pharmacologie. Mots-cles : Agadir, Plantes medicinales, Ethnobotanique, Medecine traditionnelle.
Decreased arginine bioavailability in patients with coronary artery disease in an outpatient setting

: Background: The metabolic profile of arginine is a potential biomarker for coronary artery disease (CAD). The global arginine bioavailability ratio (GABR), the ratio of the serum arginine level to the sum of the serum levels of its metabolites [L-arginine/(L-citrulline + L-ornithine)], has been reported as a marker of arginine bioavailability. The association between GABR and CAD was examined in an outpatient setting. Methods and Results: Serum levels of arginine and its related metabolites were measured in 234 cardiovascular outpatients (185 male, 49 female; age, 66 ± 12 years). The patients were divided into two groups: 118 (50%) patients with CAD [CAD(+)] and 116 (50%) patients without CAD [CAD(−)]. There were significant differences in the serum concentrations for the CAD(+) vs. CAD(−) groups, respectively, as follows: Larginine (86 ± 23 μmol/L vs. 78 ± 22 μmol/L; p=0.003), L-citrulline (138 ± 60 μmol/L vs. 115 ± 65 μmol/L; p= 0.005), L-ornithine (64 ± 28 μmol/L vs. 50 ± 29 μmol/L; p<0.001), asymmetric dimethyl arginine (0.57 ± 0.18 μmol/L vs. 0.50 ± 0.18 μmol/L; p=0.004), the ratio of L-arginine (Arg) to L-citrulline (Cit) (0.70 ± 0.29 vs. 0.92 ± 0.61, p= 0.001), and GABR (0.46 ± 0.15 vs. 0.55 ± 0.24, p=0.001). In multivariate logistic regression analysis adjusted for clinical variables, the ratio of Arg/Cit and GABR were significantly associated with CAD. Conclusions: Our results suggest that the metabolic profile of arginine, especially Arg/Cit and GABR, has independent predictive value for the presence of CAD over traditional risk factors in an outpatient setting.
Platelet-induced clumping of Plasmodium falciparum-infected erythrocytes from Malawian patients with cerebral malaria-possible modulation in vivo by thrombocytopenia

Plateletsmayplayaroleinthepathogenesisofhumancerebralmalaria(CM),andtheyhavebeenshowntoinduce clumping of Plasmodium falciparum –parasitized red blood cells (PRBCs) in vitro. Both thrombocytopenia and platelet-inducedPRBCclumpingareassociatedwithseveremalariaand,especially,withCM.Inthepresentstudy, we investigated the occurrence of the clumping phenomenon in patients with CM by isolating and coincubating their plasma and PRBCs ex vivo. Malawian children with CM all had low platelet counts, with the degree of thrombocytopenia directly proportional to the density of parasitemia. Plasma samples obtained from these patients subsequently induced weak PRBC clumping. When the assays were repeated, with the plasma platelet concentrations adjusted to within the physiological range considered to be normal, massive clumping occurred. The results of this study suggest that thrombocytopenia may, through reduction of platelet-mediated clumping of PRBCs, provide a protective mechanism for the host during CM.
DescomposiciÛn del mantillo y liberaciÛn foliar neta de nutrientes de Austrocedrus chilensis (D. Don) Pic. Serm. et Bizzarri en El BolsÛn, RÌo Negro

Litter decomposition and net foliar nutrient release of Austrocedrus chilensis (D. Don) Pic. Serm. et Bizzarri forests in El BolsUn, RIo Negro: Decomposition constant of fallen leaves, thin ( 5 cm) were determined in mature stands of Austrocedrus chilensis. Leaves and branches were field- incubated (522 days) using litter bags while a chronosequence of stems was employed. Foliar decay rate k did not show significant differences among stands and the mean for the pool was 0.27 year -1 . The k constant was 0.095, 0.06 and 0.013 year -1 for thin, coarse branches and stems, respectively. Half-life was 2.6, 7.4, 12 and 53 years for leaves, thin and coarse branches and stems, respectively. Elemental concentration (N, Ca, Al, Fe) and total ash in decaying leaves increased, did not change (S, Mn) or decreased (P, K, Mg) during leaves decomposition assay. There was no net N-release from leaves decomposition. For other nutrients, release rate and ranking was K (0.60) ≥ P (0.59) > Mg (0.40) > S (0.21) > Ca (0.10). Calcium release rate was slower than decay, while Mg, P and K released more quickly. After initial release, Fe, Al and Mn showed
Left high and dry: a call to action for increased hydrological research in tropical dry forests

Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Introduction Tropical dry forests have lived in the shadow of their humid counterparts with respect to scientific research. Despite accounting for more than 42% of all tropical forest (Murphy and Lugo, 1995) and roughly 6% of the Earth’s land surface, less than 15% of the literature on all tropical forest research has focused on tropical dry forests with the remainder highlighting work in tropical wet forests (Sanchez-Azofeifa et al., 2005; Santos et al., 2011). Many of these tropical dry forest regions are currently water stressed, and additional pressures from population growth, land use and future climate change will have significant implications for the future functioning of their natural and socioeconomic systems. In spite of the recognized importance ofwater resources in the tropics, there have been remarkably few publications on the hydrological processes in this region as compared to the humid temperate zone (e.g. Bonell, 1993, 1998; Buttle et al., 2009;Ohte andTokuchi, 2011; Price, 2011). This is especially true for tropical dry forests, which is surprising given that surface runoff is often limited to a 3 – 5month period annually, with an intervening dry period with little to no precipitation (Ortiz-Jimenez et al., 2005; Love et al., 2010). Hence, there is a critical need to understand the hydrology of tropical dry forests, particularly in light of current land use and future climate change issues facing these regions. In this, commentary we will highlight the:
On multistability and constitutive relations of motion of MDA-MB-231 cells on Fibronectin lanes

1 Cell motility on flat substrates exhibits multistability between steady and oscillatory morphodynamics, spread 2 and moving states, the biphasic adhesion-velocity relation, and the universal correlation between speed and 3 persistence (UCSP) as simultaneously observed phenomena. Their universality and concurrency suggest a unifying 4 mechanism to exist causing all of them. We search for that mechanism by investigating trajectories of MDA-MB- 5 231 cells on Fibronectin lanes. We also find multistability caused by the clutch mechanism of retrograde flow. 6 Control of the clutch parameters by integrin signalling causes the biphasic adhesion-velocity relation. Protrusion 7 competition based on the clutch causes direction reversal events, the statistics of which explains the UCSP. We 8 suggest that F-actin polymerisation, clutch mechanism of retrograde flow, protrusion competition via membrane 9 tension and drag forces cause the multistability and dynamic cell states, state transition statistics causes the 10 UCSP and the control of this dynamic system by integrin signalling entails the adhesion-velocity relation. of
KNOWLEDGE ABOUT BLOOD DONATION IN PATIENTS OF A HOSPITAL IN AMAZONAS, PERU

This study aimed to determine the level of knowledge about blood donation among outpatients from a hospital in Bagua Grande. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from May to July 2019. We developed and applied a structured questionnaire. A total of 244 outpatients were recruited through systematic sampling. Participants obtained a mean number of correct answers of 8.90 (SD: 3.25) points out of 21. Age and educational level were found to be correlated with the score (rho = -0.21; p < 0.001 and rho = 0.38; p < 0.001, respectively). Place of origin and occupation affected the score (p < 0.001). We found a low level of knowledge in the studied population, but this would not be related to previous history of donation. Interventions to improve blood donation should not only focus on providing knowledge, since other factors would be more related to this result. Motivation for the study: The frequency of blood donation is low; therefore, it is necessary to understand this problem in order to improve access to donation. Main findings: The level of knowledge found in the population of Bagua Grande is low and does not seem to be related to the history of donation. Implications for public health: Interventions to improve blood donation should not only focus on providing knowledge, since other factors would be more related to this finding.
DMD052662 2066..2075

Allosteric modulation of G protein-coupled receptors has gained considerable attention in the drug discovery arena because it opens avenues to achieve greater selectivity over orthosteric ligands. We recently identified a series of positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) of metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 (mGlu5) for the treatment of schizophrenia that exhibited robust heterotropic activation ofCYP3A4 enzymatic activity. The prototypical compound from this series, 5-(4fluorobenzyl)-2-((3-fluorophenoxy)methyl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydropyrazolo[1, 5-a]pyrazine (VU0448187), was found to activate CYP3A4 to >100% of its baseline intrinsic midazolam (MDZ) hydroxylase activity in vitro; activation was CYP3A substrate specific and mGlu5 PAM dependent. Additional studies revealed the concentration-dependence of CYP3A activation by VU0448187 in multispecies hepatic and intestinal microsomes and hepatocytes, as well as a diminished effect observed in the presence of ketoconazole. Kinetic analyses of the effect of VU0448187 on MDZ metabolism in recombinant P450 or human liver microsomes resulted in a significant increase inVmax (minimal change in Km) and required the presence of cytochrome b5. The atypical kinetics translated in vivo, as rats receiving an intraperitoneal administration of VU0448187 prior to MDZ treatment demonstrated a significant increase in circulating 1and 4-hydroxymidazolam (1-OH-MDZ, 4-OH-MDZ) levels compared with rats administered MDZ alone. The discovery of a potent substrate-selective activator of rodent CYP3Awith an in vitro to in vivo translation serves to illuminate the impact of increasing intrinsic enzymatic activity of hepatic and extrahepatic CYP3A in rodents, and presents the basis to build models capable of framing the clinical relevance of substrate-dependent heterotropic activation.
Bearing capacity of piles in layered soils. Part 1. Clay overlying sand

The paper summarizes investigations on jacked and driven piles in non-uniform soils consisting of clay and sand. Part 1 deals with the bearing capacity of piles penetrating through clay and sand layers. Preliminary tests on small model piles have been undertaken to study the effects on the point resistance of parameters such as the strength and thickness of a clay stratum, the strength ratio of soils in the two layers and the geometry of the layers. Based on these results, tests on a 76 mm diameter instrumented steel pile and a 36 mm diameter static cone penetrometer have been carried out for selected combinations of the variables involved. The test results are analysed to determine the influence of clay thickness and strength on the point resistance of piles in sand, expressed by a non-dimensional clay strength factor a, and parameters influencing a are discussed. The effect of layering on the shaft friction in sand and the radial stresses along the pile length are studied. The efficiency of small groups of model piles in layered soils is obtained. Field data are analysed, including scale effects, and simple design rules are suggested to estimate the bearing capacity of piles in layered soils. /TRRL/
Intracellular Na (cid:1) Concentration Is Elevated in Heart Failure But Na/K Pump Function Is Unchanged

Background —Intracellular sodium concentration ([Na (cid:1) ] i ) modulates cardiac contractile and electrical activity through Na/Ca exchange (NCX). Upregulation of NCX in heart failure (HF) may magnify the functional impact of altered [Na (cid:1) ] i . Methods and Results —We measured [Na (cid:1) ] i by using sodium binding benzofuran isophthalate in control and HF rabbit ventricular myocytes (HF induced by aortic insufficiency and constriction). Resting [Na (cid:1) ] i was 9.7 (cid:2) 0.7 versus 6.6 (cid:2) 0.5 mmol/L in HF versus control. In both cases, [Na (cid:1) ] i increased by (cid:3) 2 mmol/L when myocytes were stimulated (0.5 to 3 Hz). To identify the mechanisms responsible for [Na (cid:1) ] i elevation in HF, we measured the [Na (cid:1) ] i dependence of Na/K pump–mediated Na (cid:1) extrusion. There was no difference in V max (8.3 (cid:2) 0.7 versus 8.0 (cid:2) 0.8 mmol/L/min) or K m (9.2 (cid:2) 1.0 versus 9.9 (cid:2) 0.8 mmol/L in HF and control, respectively). Therefore, at measured [Na (cid:1) ] i levels, the Na/K pump rate is actually higher in HF. However, resting Na (cid:1) influx was twice as high in HF versus control (2.3 (cid:2) 0.3 versus 1.1 (cid:2) 0.2 mmol/L/min), primarily the result of a tetrodotoxin-sensitive pathway. (cid:1) ] i is elevated in HF as a result of higher diastolic Na (cid:1) influx (with unaltered Na/K-ATPase characteristics). In HF, the combined increased [Na (cid:1) ] i , decreased Ca 2 (cid:1) transient, and prolonged action potential all profoundly affect cellular Ca 2 (cid:1) regulation, promoting greater Ca 2 (cid:1) influx through NCX during action potentials. Notably, the elevated [Na (cid:1) ] i may be critical in limiting the contractile dysfunction observed in HF. ( Circulation . 2002;105:2543-2548.)
Is Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting Currently Underutilized? Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting Is Currently Underutilized C ONTROVERSIES IN C ARDIOVASCULAR M EDICINE

diabetic patients. The primary end was a composite of death, stroke, and MI 5 years. The percentage of insulin-treated patients with diabetes mellitus (ITDM) was 32.5%. The study showed a superiority of CABG over PCI in both ITDM (PCI 32% versus CABG 24%) and non-ITDM PCI (25% versus CABG 16%) patients. The treat prevent was in ITDM and 13.2 in non-ITDM. The study further
Is Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting Currently Underutilized? Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery Is Not Underutilized! C

Disease (FREEDoM) trial compared PCI with first-generation drug-eluting stents with CABG in 1900 diabetic patients. At 2 years, there was no significant difference in death, MI, or stroke between the 2 groups, but by 5 years significantly fewer CABG patients experienced an ischemic cardiovascular event (18.7% versus 26.6%, P =0.005). In the FREEDoM trial, patients also underwent aggressive and complex PCI, with on average 3.5 lesions stented per patient with an average of 26.1 mm of stent per lesion. of these highlight the benefit of over PCI in patients with complex multivessel CAD and in diabetic patients receiving first-generation drug-eluting stents. For these the PCI for subset of patients. It has the of patients
Lung epithelial cell–derived C3 protects against pneumonia-induced lung injury

The complement component C3 is a fundamental plasma protein for host defense, produced largely by the liver. However, recent work has demonstrated the critical importance of tissue-specific C3 expression in cell survival. Here, we analyzed the effects of local versus peripheral sources of C3 expression in a model of acute bacterial pneumonia induced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Whereas mice with global C3 deficiency had severe pneumonia-induced lung injury, those deficient only in liver-derived C3 remained protected, comparable to wild-type mice. Human lung transcriptome analysis showed that secretory epithelial cells, such as club cells, express high levels of C3 mRNA. Mice with tamoxifen-induced C3 gene ablation from club cells in the lung had worse pulmonary injury compared with similarly treated controls, despite maintaining normal circulating C3 levels. Last, in both the mouse pneumonia model and cultured primary human airway epithelial cells, we showed that stress-induced death associated with C3 deficiency parallels that seen in Factor B deficiency rather than C3a receptor deficiency. Moreover, C3-mediated reduction in epithelial cell death requires alternative pathway component Factor B. Thus, our findings suggest that a pathway reliant on locally derived C3 and Factor B protects the lung mucosal barrier. Description Lung-derived C3 mitigates bacterial pneumonia suggesting a cytoprotective role at barrier surfaces independent of circulating C3. Lung protection by local complement Complement proteins are innate immune defense molecules that protect the host against pathogenic microorganisms. The activities of the C3 component of complement are mostly attributed to circulating C3 primarily synthesized by hepatocytes. Sahu and Ozantürk et al. used mouse models of conditional gene deletion to investigate the contribution of local C3 protein production in the lung to protecting the pulmonary mucosal surface from cell damage caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection. Mice lacking C3 only in lung epithelial cells exhibited more pronounced acute lung injury than control mice even so circulating C3 levels were maintained at near-normal levels by maintenance of liver C3 production. These findings point to lung epithelial cell-intrinsic protective functions provided by C3 as an essential contributor to first-line defense against bacterial pneumonia. —IRW