Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cranberry Proanthocyanidins Mitigate Reflux-Induced Transporter Dysregulation in an Esophageal Adenocarcinoma Model

We recently reported that cranberry proanthocyanidins (C-PACs) inhibit esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) by 83% through reversing reflux-induced bacterial, inflammatory and immune-implicated proteins and genes as well as reducing esophageal bile acids, which drive EAC progression. This study investigated whether C-PACs’ mitigation of bile reflux-induced transporter dysregulation mechanistically contributes to EAC prevention. RNA was isolated from water-, C-PAC- and reflux-exposed rat esophagi with and without C-PAC treatment. Differential gene expression was determined by means of RNA sequencing and RT-PCR, followed by protein assessments. The literature, coupled with the publicly available Gene Expression Omnibus dataset GSE26886, was used to assess transporter expression levels in normal and EAC patient biopsies for translational relevance. Significant changes in ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters implicated in therapeutic resistance in humans (i.e., Abcb1, Abcb4, Abcc1, Abcc3, Abcc4, Abcc6 and Abcc10) and the transport of drugs, xenobiotics, lipids, and bile were altered in the reflux model with C-PACs’ mitigating changes. Additionally, C-PACs restored reflux-induced changes in solute carrier (SLC), aquaporin, proton and cation transporters (i.e., Slc2a1, Slc7a11, Slc9a1, Slco2a1 and Atp6v0c). This research supports the suggestion that transporters merit investigation not only for their roles in metabolism and therapeutic resistance, but as targets for cancer prevention and targeting preventive agents in combination with chemotherapeutics.
Study bearing capacity of subgrade using combination bamboo grid and stabilized soil

The subgrade of road construction also determines the strength and resistance to loads on it. The subgrade in the field very varies from soft clay to hard soil. The subgrade of soft clay requires soil improvement to increase bearing capacity. This study aims to determine the increase in bearing capacity and modulus of subgrade reaction in stabilized soil with the bamboo grid. The research was conducted through a physical model using a test box. Soft clay is compacted and the above it is replaced with stabilized soil with and without the bamboo grid. The height of stabilized soil varied from 0-15 cm. The results showed that the bearing capacity increased along with the increase in height of stabilized soil. The subgrade of stabilized soil which was given additional reinforcement of bamboo grid was able to increase the value of bearing capacity and modulus of subgrade reaction. A significant increase was obtained in the height of stabilized soil at least equal to the diameter of the test plate.
An Early Eocene Fish Fauna from the Bitter Creek Area of the Wasatch Formation of Southwestern Wyoming, U.S.A.

ABSTRACT Early Eocene fluvial ichthyofaunas of Wyoming are relatively poorly known compared with the betterpreserved lake deposits of the Green River Formation. We describe the teleost fishes from a single floodplain locality in the main body of the Wasatch Formation that immediately predates the formation of Lake Gosiute, in the Washakie Basin of Wyoming. This assemblage was deposited during the Graybullian substage of the Wasatchian Stage, corresponding to the onset of the rapid climatic warming leading to the Early Eocene Climatic Optimum. In addition to a lepisosteiform and an amiid, the locality has a teleost ichthyofauna comprising Diplomystus (Ellimmichthyiformes), a gonorynchiform probably representing Notogoneus, amblyopsid-like percopsiforms that may represent up to three taxa, and perciforms among which are probably an indeterminate centrarchid and ‘Priscacara. ’ The fauna demonstrates that many of the Green River Formation fish taxa were already present in fluvial environments prior to the formation of the Green River lakes, indicating that the subsequent climate warming had little effect on these fishes. Some of the elements recognized here as probably representing Notogoneus were previously recovered from Late Cretaceous deposits from Utah to Alberta, suggesting that this gonorynchid was wide-ranging in North American fluvial environments since Mesozoic times, as were several other taxa identified here. Furthermore, the ichthyofauna indicates that the depositional environment was well vegetated and well oxygenated. These waters were shallow, with gentle flow strengths, which, together with the high oxygen content, suggests that the sediments of the locality were deposited in small ponds connected to an active river system.
Modelling and Molecular Dynamics Predict the Structure and Interactions of the Glycine Receptor Intracellular Domain

Glycine receptors (GlyRs) are glycine-gated inhibitory pentameric ligand-gated ion channels composed of α or α + β subunits. A number of structures of these proteins have been reported, but to date, these have only revealed details of the extracellular and transmembrane domains, with the intracellular domain (ICD) remaining uncharacterised due to its high flexibility. The ICD is a region that can modulate function in addition to being critical for receptor localisation and clustering via proteins such as gephyrin. Here, we use modelling and molecular dynamics (MD) to reveal details of the ICDs of both homomeric and heteromeric GlyR. At their N and C ends, both the α and β subunit ICDs have short helices, which are major sites of stabilising interactions; there is a large flexible loop between them capable of forming transient secondary structures. The α subunit can affect the β subunit ICD structure, which is more flexible in a 4α2:1β than in a 4α1:1β GlyR. We also explore the effects of gephyrin binding by creating GlyR models bound to the gephyrin E domain; MD simulations suggest these are more stable than the unbound forms, and again there are α subunit-dependent differences, despite the fact the gephyrin binds to the β subunit. The bound models also suggest that gephyrin causes compaction of the ICD. Overall, the data expand our knowledge of this important receptor protein and in particular clarify features of the underexplored ICD.
Scalar dissonances, knowledge-making, sense of urgency, and social narratives about the future. Contours of the climate change debate in Latin America

ABSTRACT This article aims to situate climate change by examining three scalar dissonances between “global” and “local” knowledge-making and policy action. The three dissonances – the knowledge production and policy meaning-making nexus, the politics of urgency, and the politics of building socio-climatic future pathways – engage deeply with the emergent literature that deals with climate change from the perspective of Human Geography Studies and the Social Studies of Science and Technology (STS). By posing guiding questions and through examples primarily from Latin American countries, this paper lays out a research agenda that advances geographical sensitivity, allowing us to better understand the “other” geographies of climate science production, circulation, and information use. Furthermore, it highlights the unresolved political and interdisciplinary tensions in accommodating global narratives in regions of the Global South.
The Diagnostic Value of FibroTest and Hepascore as Non-Invasive Markers of Liver Fibrosis in Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC)

The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic usefulness of two non-invasive, validated, and patented markers of liver fibrosis, the Hepascore and FibroTest, in patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). The study group consisted of 74 PSC patients and 38 healthy subjects. All patients had a liver biopsy. The Hepascore and FibroTest were calculated using specific algorithms. The ANOVA rank Kruskal–Wallis test revealed differences in the Hepascore and FibroTest between patients divided according to histological stage (p < 0.001 for both comparisons). The Hepascore and FibroTest had significantly higher results in patients with significant fibrosis (F ≥ 2) in comparison to those with no significant fibrosis (F1) (p < 0.001 for both tests) and higher values in patients with cirrhosis (F4) when compared to those without cirrhosis (F1–F3) (p < 0.001 for both comparisons). The Hepascore test showed a diagnostic sensitivity of 96.8%, a specificity of 100% for fibrosis (at cut-off 0.52) and a diagnostic sensitivity of 95.2%, and a specificity also of 100% for cirrhosis (at 0.80). The FibroTest in point 0.51 for the diagnosis of fibrosis obtained the following values: 58.6%, 90%, 89.5%, and 60%, respectively, and in point 0.73 for the diagnosis of cirrhosis: 42.9%, 100%, 100%, and 45.5, respectively. The Hepascore test reached an excellent diagnostic power in identifying both fibrosis and cirrhosis (AUC = 1.0). The FibroTest and Hepascore are highly valuable for the evaluation of the severity of liver fibrosis and cirrhosis in PSC patients and can be used as a primary screening method, allowing for a significant reduction in the need for liver biopsy. Both markers have the required sensitivity and specificity to detect liver fibrosis and cirrhosis and can be equally used in clinical practice, although the Hepascore seems to be a better test because it is more specific.
Effects of habitat loss and human influence on the survival of black-crowned cranes in Africa

This paper reviews the effects of habitat loss and human influence on the survival of Black-crowned cranes in Africa. Black-crowned crane is distributed through Sahel and Sudan Savannah regions of Africa, ranging from the Senegal basin and Guinea-Bissau drainage in West Africa to the western Ethiopian Highlands and south-west Rift Valley in East Africa. Habitat loss, transformation and degradation, and illegal capture and trade for pet industry, are the major threats of the species. Because of habitat loss, the population of Black-crowned cranes is declining across its home range and it is even disappearing in some countries in West Africa. It is predicted that the population decline will continue in the future due to habitat loss and trapping of cranes for domestication. The species is classified as Lower Risk from 1988 to 2000, Near Threatened from 2004 to 2008, and then Vulnerable from 2010 onwards. The rapid conversion of wetlands and intensive land use and different economic development with poor environmental protection threat the survival of Black-crowned cranes. In order to overcome the threats of Black-crowned cranes ( Balearica pavonina ), habitat conservation and community awareness are essential, not optional.
Flow Patterns in Circular Rearing Tanks Containing Vertical Structure

Circular tanks are widely used in aquaculture, and the addition of verticallyâsuspended rod arrays can provide structural complexity during fish rearing. This study assessed the effects of such an array on water velocities at two flow rates in 1.8-m diameter circular tanks. At inflows of 62 L/min and 113 L/min, the presence of the rod array significantly reduced in-tank velocities. The largest decrease in velocity was observed on the water surface midway between the center and edge of the tank. The presence of vertically-suspended rods significantly reduced velocities at each sampling depth (surface, mid-tank, bottom), at each radius (30, 60, or 90 cm from the center of the tank), and at each position (prior to, immediately after, and directly opposite the rod array). At both of the flow rates, velocities with the rods present were still sufficient to create a vortex capable of keeping the tank self-cleaning. The decrease in velocities may explain part of the reason for the positive effects of vertically-suspended rods on fish rearing performance.
A new species of shrew moles, genus Uropsilus Milne-Edwards, 1871 (Mammalia, Eulipotyphla, Talpidae), from the Wuyi Mountains, Jiangxi Province, eastern China

﻿Abstract Asian shrew moles, genus Uropsilus, are the most primitive members of family Talpidae. They are distributed mainly in southwestern China and adjacent Bhutan, Myanmar, and Vietnam. In June 2022, we collected five specimens of Uropsilus from Mount Huanggang, Jiangxi Province, eastern China, which is the highest peak of the Wuyi Mountains. We sequenced two mitochondrial (CYT B and 12S rRNA) and three nuclear (PLCB4, RAG1, and RAG2) genes to estimate the phylogenetic relationship of the five shrew moles. We also compared their morphology with recognized species within the genus. Our results show that these specimens collected from Mount Huanggang differ from all named species in Uropsilus. We formally describe the species here as Uropsilushuanggangensissp. nov. Morphologically, the new species is distinguishable from the other Uropsilus species by the combination of dark chocolate-brown pelage, long snout, enlarged first upper incisor, similarly sized lacrimal and infraorbital foramens, and the curved and sickle-like coronoid process. The genetic distances of the cytochrome b (CYT B) gene between U.huanggangensis and other recognized Uropsilus species ranged between 9.3% and 16.4%. The new species is geographically distant from other species in the genus and is the easternmost record of the Uropsilus. The divergence time of U.huanggangensis was estimated to be the late Pliocene (1.92 Ma, 95% CI = 0.88–2.99).
Symptomatic Intracranial Hemorrhage after Mechanical Thrombectomy – the Difference between Iso-Osmolar and Low-Osmolar Contrast Media

Abstract Objective Symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (SICH) after mechanical thrombectomy (MT) is generally considered a critical complication. Hemorrhagic transformation after ischemic stroke has also been associated with contrast media administration. The objective of our study was to evaluate correlations between contrast media type and incidence of SICH after MT. Methods Ninety-three consecutive patients (41 men; mean age, 80.2 years; range, 44–98 years) underwent MT reperfusion (expanded thrombolysis in cerebral infarction score, 2a–3) for acute large-vessel occlusion ischemic stroke within 8 h after symptom onset between April 2020 and July 2023 were retrospectively reviewed. Correlations between contrast media type (iso-osmolar or low-osmolar medium) and incidence of SICH were assessed. Results Contrast media were iso-osmolar in 60 cases or low-osmolar in 33 cases. The overall incidence of SICH was 5.5%. The frequency of SICH was significantly lower in the iso-osmolar group (1.7%) than in the low-osmolar group (12.1%; P = 0.033). Conclusion Iso-osmolar contrast media was associated with a lower incidence of SICH compared with low-osmolar contrast media in patients after MT.
Underfoot Pressure-Based Left and Right Foot Classification Algorithms: The Impact of Footwear

High-resolution plantar pressure recordings have the potential to be used in gait biometrics, biomechanics, and clinical gait analysis. To accurately assess side-specific patterns and asymmetries, it is essential to differentiate between left and right steps, which can be challenging when manual labeling is not feasible and shoe type can vary. This research aimed to create and evaluate the performance of six distinct algorithms (two inspired by existing literature and four novel ones) that take advantage of spatial and temporal features combined with basic decision rules, machine learning, and deep learning to automatically classify left and right footsteps from underfoot pressure recordings, taking into account difficulties associated with footwear variability. A collection of more than 20,000 footsteps from 20 people and 41 different types of shoes was used to assess the six proposed classification algorithms. The results demonstrate that classification techniques based on spatial representations (peak pressure or binary images of footsteps) are more effective than those based on center-of-pressure (COP) time series. The most successful approach, which compares the area of the sole in different parts of the midfoot and forefoot, achieved an accuracy of 99.7% in determining left and right footsteps, with a convolutional neural network (CNN) algorithm at a close second (99.4%). These techniques were found to be robust to many types of footwear and may be valuable for a variety of practical, community-based gait classification tasks.
Understanding Overland Multisensor Satellite Precipitation Error in TMPA-RT Products

AbstractThe Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) Multisatellite Precipitation Analysis (TMPA) has provided the global community a widely used multisatellite (and multisensor type) estimate of quasi-global precipitation. One of the TMPA level-3 products, 3B42RT/TMPA-RT (where RT indicates real time), is a merged product of microwave (MW) and infrared (IR) precipitation estimates, which attempts to exploit the most desirable aspects of both types of sensors, namely, quality rainfall estimation and spatiotemporal resolution. This study extensively and systematically evaluates multisatellite precipitation errors by tracking the sensor-specific error sources and quantifying the biases originating from multiple sensors. High-resolution, ground-based radar precipitation estimates from the Multi-Radar Multi-Sensor (MRMS) system, developed by the National Severe Storms Laboratory (NSSL), are utilized as reference data. The analysis procedure involves segregating the grid precipitation estimate as a function .
Relation of Soil bulk Density with Texture, Total organic matter content and Porosity in the Soils of Kandi Area of Kashmir valley, India

Bulk density is a function of soil texture, mineral density of soil (sand, silt, and clay) and organic matter particle as well as their packing arrangement. The present study is intended at examining the relationship between bulk density, texture (clay content and fine sand content), organic matter content and porosity in the soils of Kandi areas in Kashmir valley. Twenty five surface soil samples were collected from different locations of the study area at a depth of 20-35 cms. Soil bulk density showed negative correlation with Clay, total organic matter content and porosity except with sand content (S).
Self-Regulation Phenomenon Emerged During Prolonged Fatigue Driving: An EEG Connectivity Study

Driving fatigue is a common experience for most drivers and can reduce human cognition and judgment abilities. Previous studies have exhibited a phenomenon of the non-monotonically varying indicators (both behavioral and neurophysiological) for driving fatigue evaluation but paid little attention to this phenomenon. Herein, we propose a hypothesis that the non-monotonically varying phenomenon is caused by the self-regulation of brain activity, which is defined as the fatigue self-regulation (FSR) phenomenon. In this study, a 90-min simulated driving task was performed on 26 healthy university students. EEG data and reaction time (RT) were synchronously recorded during the whole task. To identify the FSR phenomenon, a data-driven criterion was proposed based on clustering analysis of individual behavioral data and the FSR group was determined as having non-monotonic increase trend of RT and the drops of RT during prolonged driving were more than two levels among the total five levels. The subjects were then divided into two groups: the FSR group and the non-FSR group. Quantitative comparative analysis showed significant differences in behavioral performance, functional connectivity, network characteristics, and classification performance between the FSR and non-FSR groups. Specifically, the behavioral performance exhibited apparent non-monotonic development trend: increasing-decreasing-increasing. Moreover, network characteristics presented similar self-regulated development trends. Our study provides a new insight for revealing the complex neural mechanisms of driving fatigue, which may promote the development of practical techniques for automatic detection method and mitigation strategy.
The Impact Of Parental Involvement And Self-Efficacy In Anchoring The Psychological Resilience Among Chinese Adolescents With Learning Difficulties: Mediating Role Of Achievement Motivation

Over the past few decades, there has been a noticeable focus on adolescents' learning and participation activities. Surveys and studies conducted in academic schools in China have reported an increase in cases of adolescents experiencing learning difficulties. The previouis research has linked the concept of learning difficulties and disabilities within the broader cultural, social, and academic context. Existing studies shed light on various factors responsible for triggering learning difficulties and how to resolve them. The literature commonly identifies academic factors, such as the school environment and teaching styles, as potential causes of learning difficulties. However, studies have often neglected social elements, including the role of parents and an individual's self-efficacy. This study examines personal and social factors to analyze their impact on the psychological resilience of adolescents. A quantitative design was adopted where data was collected from adolescents across China through Wen Juan Xing. The findings imply that parental involvement, but not self-efficacy, significantly impacts psychological resilience. Additionally, it was discovered that parental involvement, self-efficacy, and psychological resilience weren’t mediated by achievement motivation. The findings from the study can be used by parents, managers, and other children welfare organizations to develop policies and processes that are supportive of the development and resilience of the adolescents.
Learning from Context: A Field Study of Privacy Awareness System for Mobile Devices

In this paper we investigate the effectiveness of context-awareness and machine learning in ensuring social acceptance of real-time feedback in a social location tracking system. Real-time feedback is a novel privacy feature supporting bi-directional function of privacy management. Its main function is to deliver feedback to the user by using an appropriate form of notification every time a user‟s location has been checked. We evaluated our technology in the context of Buddy Tracker, our context-aware, location-sharing application for mobile devices. We report on our experience from the development process and also discuss findings of our field study with 15 participants. The findings show that context-awareness and machine learning can minimize the intrusiveness of real-time feedback, therefore making this important function socially more acceptable thus allowing users to benefit from the increased level of awareness that real-time feedback affords. We conclude with recommendations on how a better understanding of the user and application-specific context can improve the user experience and social acceptance of the system.
Performance enhancement of sand–bentonite mixture due to addition of fiber and geosynthetic clay liner

In the absence of impermeable natural soils, compacted sand–bentonite mixture along with a layer of geosynthetic clay liner (GCL) is used as a liner material at the waste disposal site. However, due to desiccation, the bentonite present in the liner shrinks resulting in an increase in the hydraulic conductivity of the liner. To prevent the desiccation cracking of bentonite, glass fibre is added to the mixture as a reinforcing material. However, the addition of the fibre can influence the geotechnical properties of liner material. To study the effect of the fibre on the geotechnical properties of the sand–bentonite mixtures with one layer of GCL, glass fibre of 10 mm length was added in the proportion of 0.5 and 1.0% to different sand–bentonite mixtures. Result shows that the swelling pressure and swelling potential of the soil–bentonite mixture with a layer of GCL decreased significantly with the increase in the glass fibre content in the mixture. The hydraulic conductivity of the mixtures was decreased with the inclusion of the GCL to mixtures; however, it increased considerably when glass fibre was added to the mixture. The compression index of the mixtures with GCL decreased marginally due to the inclusion of fibre.