Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Speech Prosody as a Bridge Between Psychopathology and Linguistics: The Case of the Schizophrenia Spectrum

Patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders experience severe difficulties in interpersonal communication, as described by traditional psychopathology and current research on social cognition. From a linguistic perspective, pragmatic abilities are crucial for successful communication. Empirical studies have shown that these abilities are significantly impaired in this group of patients. Prosody, the tone of voice with which words and sentences are pronounced, is one of the most important carriers of pragmatic meaning and can serve a range of functions from linguistic to emotional ones. Most of the existing literature on prosody of patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders focuses on the expression of emotion, generally showing significant impairments. By contrast, the use of non-emotional prosody in these patients is scarcely investigated. In this paper, we first present a linguistic model to classify prosodic functions. Second, we discuss existing studies on the use of non-emotional prosody in these patients, providing an overview of the state of the art. Third, we delineate possible future lines of research in this field, also taking into account some classical psychopathological assumptions, for both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.
Astragalin Attenuates Dextran Sulfate Sodium (DSS)-Induced Acute Experimental Colitis by Alleviating Gut Microbiota Dysbiosis and Inhibiting NF-κB Activation in Mice

With the ulcerative colitis (UC) incidence increasing worldwide, it is of great importance to prevent and treat UC. However, efficient treatment options for UC are relatively limited. Due to the potentially serious adverse effects of existing drugs, there is an increasing demand for alternative candidate resources derived from natural and functional foods. Astragalin (AG) is a type of anti-inflammatory flavonoid, with Moringa oleifera and Cassia alata being its main sources. In this study, we investigated the therapeutic effects of AG on mice with dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis. Our results suggested that AG treatment reduced weight loss and the disease activity index (DAI), prevented colon shortening and alleviated colonic tissue damage. AG treatment reduced the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and related mRNAs (such as TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β), inhibited colonic infiltration by macrophages and neutrophils, ameliorated metabolic endotoxemia, and improved intestinal mucosal barrier function (increased expression levels of mRNAs such as ZO-1, occludin, and Muc2). Western blot analysis revealed that AG downregulated the NF-κB signaling pathway. Moreover, AG treatment partially reversed the alterations in the gut microbiota in colitis mice, mainly by increasing the abundance of potentially beneficial bacteria (such as Ruminococcaceae) and decreasing the abundance of potentially harmful bacteria (such as Escherichia-Shigella). Ruminococcaceae and Enterobacteriaceae (Escherichia-Shigella) were thought to be the key groups affected by AG to improve UC. Therefore, AG might exert a good anti-UC effect through microbiota/LPS/TLR4/NF-kB-related pathways in mice. The results of this study reveal the anti-inflammatory effect and mechanism of AG and provide an important reference for studying the mechanisms of natural flavonoids involved in preventing inflammation-driven diseases.
PHYLOGENETIC STRUCTURE OF SCHIZOPYGOPSIS PYLZOVI POPULATIONS FROM MITOCHONDRIAL CYTOCHROME B GENE SEQUENCE VARIATIONS

The complete mtDNA cytochrome b gene sequence (11411bp) was sequenced for 16 Schizopygopsis from the upper reach of the Yellow River and the Tuosuo Lake of the Qaidam Basin. The sequence compositions and variations were analyzed using MEGA2.1 software. The Gymnocypris przewalskii and Gymnocypris eckloni and Platypharodon extremus were selected as out-group, and one Molecular phylogenetic tree of 5 haplotypes was constructed using NJ in PAPU * 4.0b10 software. Tile monophyly of the populations of the Schizopygopsis from either the Yellow River or the Tuosuo Lake was not supported. The genetic variability (Fst) and the value of exact test of differentiation between the populations calculated with Arlequin Ver. 2000 software were 0.204(P 0.05), respectively. The Nm value deduced from Fst between the populations was 1.95. These data suggested that the populations of the Schizopygopsis from the Yellow River and the Tuosuo Lake have not evolved to two different species. Our results Support tile morphological classification that merging tile Schizopygopsis kessleri into Schizopygopsis pylzovi. The nucleotide diversity (pi) exhibited by two populations was low (0.0012 similar to 0.0026). Inferred from the molecular evolution rate,the divergent time of the S. pylozovi from the Yellow River and tile Tuosuo Lake was about 70,000 years ago in the late Pleistocene. The faunal connection for population of the in historical was analyzed according to the phylogeography of population distributions and paleo-geographical events.
Understanding and Exploiting the Effect of Tuberculosis Antimicrobials on Host Mitochondrial Function and Bioenergetics

Almost 140 years after its discovery, tuberculosis remains the leading infectious cause of death globally. For half a century, patients with drug-sensitive and drug-resistant tuberculosis have undergone long, arduous, and complex treatment processes with several antimicrobials that primarily function through direct bactericidal activity. Long-term utilization of these antimicrobials has been well-characterized and associated with numerous toxic side-effects. With the prevalence of drug-resistant strains on the rise and new therapies for tuberculosis urgently required, a more thorough understanding of these antimicrobials is a necessity. In order to progress from the “one size fits all” treatment approach, understanding how these antimicrobials affect mitochondrial function and bioenergetics may provide further insight into how these drugs affect the overall functions of host immune cells during tuberculosis infection. Such insights may help to inform future studies, instigate discussion, and help toward establishing personalized approaches to using such antimicrobials which could help to pave the way for more tailored treatment regimens. While recent research has highlighted the important role mitochondria and bioenergetics play in infected host cells, only a small number of studies have examined how these antimicrobials affect mitochondrial function and immunometabolic processes within these immune cells. This short review highlights how these antimicrobials affect key elements of mitochondrial function, leading to further discussion on how they affect bioenergetic processes, such as glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation, and how antimicrobial-induced alterations in these processes can be linked to downstream changes in inflammation, autophagy, and altered bactericidal activity.
Changes in Metabolism and Proteostasis Drive Aging Phenotype in Aplysia californica Sensory Neurons

Aging is associated with cognitive declines that originate in impairments of function in the neurons that make up the nervous system. The marine mollusk Aplysia californica (Aplysia) is a premier model for the nervous system uniquely suited to investigation of neuronal aging due to uniquely identifiable neurons and molecular techniques available in this model. This study describes the molecular processes associated with aging in two populations of sensory neurons in Aplysia by applying RNA sequencing technology across the aging process (age 6–12 months). Differentially expressed genes clustered into four to five coherent expression patterns across the aging time series in the two neuron populations. Enrichment analysis of functional annotations in these neuron clusters revealed decreased expression of pathways involved in energy metabolism and neuronal signaling, suggesting that metabolic and signaling pathways are intertwined. Furthermore, increased expression of pathways involved in protein processing and translation suggests that proteostatic stress also occurs in aging. Temporal overlap of enrichment for energy metabolism, proteostasis, and neuronal function suggests that cognitive impairments observed in advanced age result from the ramifications of broad declines in energy metabolism.
Reproducibility of Glutamate, Glutathione, and GABA Measurements in vivo by Single-Voxel STEAM Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy at 7-Tesla in Healthy Individuals

Background and Purpose Derangements in brain glutamate, glutathione, and γ-amino butyric acid (GABA) are implicated in a range of neurological disorders. Reliable methods to measure these compounds non-invasively in vivo are needed. We evaluated the reproducibility of their measurements in brain regions involved in the default mode network using quantitative MRS at 7-Tesla in healthy individuals. Methods Ten right-handed healthy volunteers underwent 7-Tesla MRI scans on 2 separate days, not more than 2 weeks apart. On each day two scanning sessions took place, with a re-positioning break in between. High-resolution isotropic anatomical scans were acquired prior to each scan, followed by single-voxel 1H-MRS using the STEAM pulse sequence on an 8 mL midline cubic voxel, positioned over the posterior cingulate and precuneus regions. Concentrations were corrected for partial-volume effects. Results Maximal Cramér-Rao lower bounds for glutamate, glutathione, and GABA were 2.0, 8.0, and 14.0%, respectively. Mean coefficients of variation within sessions were 5.9 ± 4.8%, 9.3 ± 7.6%, and 11.5 ± 8.8%, and between sessions were 4.6 ± 4.5%, 8.3 ± 5.7%, and 9.2 ± 8.7%, respectively. The mean (±SD) Dice’s coefficient for voxel overlap was 90 ± 4% within sessions and 86 ± 7% between sessions. Conclusion Glutamate, glutathione, and GABA can be reliably quantified using STEAM MRS at 7-Tesla from the posterior cingulate and precuneus cortices of healthy human subjects. STEAM MRS at 7-Tesla may be used to study the metabolic behavior of this important resting-state hub in various disease states.
New Insights Into the 2070calyrBP Pyroclastic Currents at El Misti Volcano (Peru) From Field Investigations, Satellite Imagery and Probabilistic Modeling

Pyroclastic currents (PCs) are the most challenging volcanic hazards for disaster planners in populated areas around volcanoes. “El Misti” volcano (5,825 m above sea level), located only 17 km from the city center of Arequipa (>1.1 million inhabitants), South Peru, has produced small-to-moderate volume (<1 km3) PCs with a frequency of 2,000–4,000 years over the past 50 kyr. The most recent Plinian eruption dated at 2070 cal yr BP (VEI 4) has been selected as one of the reference events for the hazard assessment and risk mitigation plan of Arequipa. Associated pumice- and lithic-rich PC deposits were emplaced from at least four phases of column-collapse into the radial valleys draining the volcano as far as 13 km toward the city. Field mapping and stratigraphic surveys conducted in seven valleys affected by the 2070 cal yr BP PCs were combined with a new high-resolution (2 m) digital surface model of the volcano to better estimate the distribution of individual PC volumes. Such data acquisition is particularly critical for two of these valleys (San Lázaro and Huarangal-Mariano Melgar) for which the medial and distal reaches now cross the suburbs of Arequipa. The total area covered by the PC deposits is estimated at 141 km2 for a total bulk volume estimated at 406 ± 140 × 106 m3. These volumes were used as input parameters to better calibrate probabilistic numerical simulations of future similar PC events using the two-layer VolcFlow model and assess the impacts of both the concentrated and dilute portions of these currents in the San Lázaro and Huarangal valleys. We discuss probability values of PC inundation obtained from these simulations both in terms of their implications for the dynamics of such hazardous PCs at El Misti and for their integration into its current multi-hazard assessment. Modeling results demonstrate that the risk of overbank processes and spreading of unconfined PCs inside Arequipa should be refined. This multi-disciplinary study aims to help the civil authorities’ understanding of the likely effects of PCs associated with a similar VEI 4 eruption of El Misti on the urban area of Arequipa.
Trophic Transfer of Microplastics From Copepods to Jellyfish in the Marine Environment

Microplastics (MPs) can be ingested by marine organisms directly or indirectly through trophic transfer from contaminated prey. In the marine ecosystem, zooplankton are an important link between phytoplankton and higher trophic levels in the marine food web. Among them, copepods and gelatinous species have been recently reported to ingest MPs, but no potential MP transfer has been verified yet. In this study, a simplified two-level trophic chain – formed by nauplii of the Tigriopus fulvus copepod as prey, and the ephyrae stage of Aurelia sp. as predator – was selected to investigate MP trophic transfer. The experimental setup consisted in feeding ephyrae with nauplii previously exposed to fluorescent 1–5 μm polyethylene MPs and evaluating two ecotoxicological end-points: jellyfish immobility and pulsation frequency. After 24 h, the jellyfish ingested nauplii contaminated with MPs; however, neither immobility nor behavior was affected by MP transfer. These findings show that MPs can be transported at different trophic levels, but more research is needed to identify their potential effects on the marine food web.
Mechanism of Zinc Excitotoxicity: A Focus on AMPK

Over the last 20 years, it has been shown that complex signaling cascades are involved in zinc excitotoxicity. Free zinc rapidly induces PKC activation, which causes reactive oxygen species (ROS) production at least in part through NADPH oxidase. It also promotes neuronal nitric oxide synthase, thereby increasing nitric oxide (NO) production. Extracellular signal-regulated kinase activation and Egr-1 transcription factor activity were quickly induced by zinc, too. These concurrent actions of kinases consequently produce oxygen free radical, ROS, and NO, which may cause severe DNA damage. Following the excessive activity of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 depletes NAD+/ATP in the cells. Zinc excitotoxicity exhibits distinct characteristics of apoptosis, too. Activation of caspase-3 is induced by liver kinase B1 (LKB1)-AMP-activated kinase (AMPK)-Bim cascade signaling and induction of p75NTR receptors and p75NTR-associated Death Executor. Thus, zinc excitotoxicity is a mechanism of neuronal cell death showing various cell death patterns. In addition to the above signaling cascades, individual intracellular organelles also play a crucial role in zinc excitotoxicity. Mitochondria and lysosomes function as zinc reservoirs, and as such, are capable of regulating zinc concentration in the cytoplasm. However, when loaded with too much zinc, they may undergo mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP) opening, and lysosomal membrane permeabilization (LMP), both of which are well-established mechanisms of cell death. Since zinc excitotoxicity has been reported to be associated with acute brain injuries, including stroke, trauma, and epilepsy, we performed to find the novel AMPK inhibitors as therapeutic agents for these diseases. Since we thought acute brain injury has complicated neuronal death pathways, we tried to see the neuroprotection against zinc excitotoxicity, calcium-overload excitotoxicity, oxidative damage, and apoptosis. We found that two chemicals showed significant neuroprotection against all cellular neurotoxic models we tested. Finally, we observed the reduction of infarct volume in a rat model of brain injury after middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). In this review, we introduced the AMPK-mediated cell death mechanism and novel strategy for the development of stroke therapeutics. The hope is that this understanding would provide a rationale for acute brain injury and eventually find new therapeutics.
Human Face Recognition in Horses: Data in Favor of a Holistic Process

Recent studies have demonstrated that horses can recognize humans based simply on visual information. However, none of these studies have investigated whether this involves the recognition of the face itself, or simply identifying people from non-complex external clues, such as hair color. To go beyond this we wanted to know whether certain features of the face were indispensable for this recognition (e.g., colors, hair or eyes). The 11 horses in this study had previously learned to identify four unfamiliar faces (portrait view and in color) presented repeatedly on a screen. We thus assessed whether they were able to identify these same faces spontaneously when they were presented in four other conditions: profile view, black and white, eyes hidden, changed hairstyle. The horses’ performances remained higher than chance level for all the conditions. In a choice test under real conditions, they then approached the people whose face they had learned more often than unknown people. In conclusion, when considering all the individuals studied, no single facial element that we tested appears to be essential for recognition, suggesting holistic processing in face recognition. That means horses do not base their recognition solely on an easy clue such as hair color. They can also link faces from photographs with people in real life, indicating that horses do not process images of faces as simple abstract shapes.
Molecular Footprints of the Immune Assault on Pancreatic Beta Cells in Type 1 Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is a chronic disease caused by the selective destruction of the insulin-producing pancreatic beta cells by infiltrating immune cells. We presently evaluated the transcriptomic signature observed in beta cells in early T1D and compared it with the signatures observed following in vitro exposure of human islets to inflammatory or metabolic stresses, with the aim of identifying “footprints” of the immune assault in the target beta cells. We detected similarities between the beta cell signatures induced by cytokines present at different moments of the disease, i.e., interferon-α (early disease) and interleukin-1β plus interferon-γ (later stages) and the beta cells from T1D patients, identifying biological process and signaling pathways activated during early and late stages of the disease. Among the first responses triggered on beta cells was an enrichment in antiviral responses, pattern recognition receptors activation, protein modification and MHC class I antigen presentation. During putative later stages of insulitis the processes were dominated by T-cell recruitment and activation and attempts of beta cells to defend themselves through the activation of anti-inflammatory pathways (i.e., IL10, IL4/13) and immune check-point proteins (i.e., PDL1 and HLA-E). Finally, we mined the beta cell signature in islets from T1D patients using the Connectivity Map, a large database of chemical compounds/drugs, and identified interesting candidates to potentially revert the effects of insulitis on beta cells.
Long-Term Effect of Crop Residues and Zinc Fertilizer on Crop Yield, Nutrient Uptake and Fertility Build-up under Rice-Wheat Cropping System in Calciorthents

The effect of crop residues and zinc fertilizer on grain yield and nutrient uptake by rice and wheat was studied after 12 years of crop cycles in a Calciorthent. Long-term application of crop residues along with zinc increased soil organic carbon (from 4.5 to 6.8 g kg−1), grain yield (3.40 to 4.35 t ha−1 rice and 3.0 to 3.92 t ha−1 wheat) and nutrient uptake by rice (191 to 405 g Zn, 68 to 98 g Cu, 2159 to 2717 g Fe and 663 to 1038 g Mn ha−1) and wheat (142 to 256 g Zn, 53 to 84 g Cu, 1235 to 1679 g Fe and 411 to 659 g Mn ha−1). The highest grain yield in both the crops was recorded in the treatment receiving 10 kg Zn ha−1 along with 100% incorporation of the straw produced by both the crops. The treatment consisting of 5 kg Zn ha−1 + 100% of crop residues was the next promising treatment in enhancing the crop yields. The combined use of crop residues and zinc fertilizer significantly increased the availability of N, P, K and micronutrients in soil over zinc-application alone. The application of 50% crop residues along with 5–10 kg Zn ha−1 was adequate in sustaining crop productivity and maintaining soil health.
Multi-Hazard Assessment of Bridges in Case of Hazard Chain: State of Play and Application to Vehicle-Pier Collision Followed by Fire

This study focuses on multi-hazard analysis for bridges, following a two-tier approach. First, it identifies relevant open issues and recent literature developments in the field, presenting data in a meaningful manner, with specific focus on the issues related with the analysis of hazard chain scenario treated as low probability–high consequence events. Second, it describes a practically useful and sufficiently generic approach for efficient computational investigation of hazard chain scenarios in highway bridges. Following that, the applicability of the approach is exemplified in an appealing and commonly encountered in real-life hazard chain scenario, in which a multilevel modeling strategy is adopted to assess the structural response under hazard chain scenarios of a highway viaduct. Among the considered scenarios is the impact of a heavy vehicle (tank truck) on the bridge pier, and the fire spread following the collision due to the presence of inflammable materials. The bridge structure is a typical 189-m-long multi-span composite highway viaduct. The impact is modeled with a non-linear transient dynamic analysis that accounts the inertial effect of the global structure, while the fire modeling is performed with non-linear quasi static dynamic analysis focusing on local behavior with a substructured model. Then different impact and fire scenarios are considered, including different impact velocities of the truck.
Morphological Outer Retina Findings in Multiple Sclerosis Patients With or Without Optic Neuritis

Purpose: To investigate on the morphology of the macular inner (IR) and outer (OR) layers in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients with and without history of optic neuritis (ON), followed by good or poor recovery of best corrected visual acuity (BCVA). Methods: Thirty-five normal control subjects and 93 relapsing remitting MS patients were enrolled. Of this, 40 MS patients without ON (MS-noON, 40 eyes), 27 with history of ON and good BCVA recovery (MS-ON-G, 27 eyes), and 26 with history of ON and poor BCVA recovery (MS-ON-P, 26 eyes) were studied. Controls and MS patients underwent an extensive ophthalmological examination including spectral-domain optical coherence tomography evaluating in 3 localized macular areas (0–1 mm, Area 1; 1–3 mm, Area 2; 3- 6 mm, Area 3), volumes (MV), and thicknesses (MT) of the whole retina (WR), further segmented in IR and OR. The differences of MV and MT between the groups were tested by ANOVA. In the MS-ON-P group, the correlations between MV and MT and BCVA were evaluated by Pearson's test. Results: When compared to controls, the MS-noON group showed not significantly (p > 0.01) different MVs, whereas MTs were significantly (p < 0.01) reduced in the evaluation of WR and IR. In the MS-ON-G group, a significant (p < 0.01) reduction of WR and IR MVs and MTs was found in Areas 2 and 3; OR MVs and MTs were similar (p > 0.01) to controls. In the MS-ON-P group a significant (p < 0.01) reduction of WR, IR, and OR MVs and MTs was detected in all areas; the BCVA reduction was significantly (p < 0.01) correlated with WR and IR MVs and MTs. Conclusions: In MS without history of ON or when ON is followed by a good BCVA recovery, the neurodegenerative process is limited to IR macular layers; in the presence of ON, with a poor BCVA recovery, a morphological impairment of both IR and OR macular layers occurs.