Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Dual Amylin and Calcitonin Receptor Agonists: A Novel Treatment for Obesity and Related Co-Morbidities

Obesity and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) are the most common causes of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and subsequently chronic liver disease, such as fibrosis. While no treatments are approved, weight loss and insulin sensitizers have shown promise on metabolic and hepatic parameters; hence, drugs causing weight loss and alleviating insulin resistance are highly interesting as candidates for treatment of NAFLD and NASH. We started rats on high fat diet (HFD) for 8 weeks to induce obesity followed by a high fat, high cholesterol and cholate diet (HFCC) for 56 days to induce NASH. After HFD, the rats were assigned into treatment groups receiving either vehicle (saline) or escalated to 0.625, 1.25, 2.5 and 5.0 μg/kg KBP-089. KBP-089 induced and sustained a significant 16.5% vehicle-corrected weight loss, reduced overall adiposity and enhanced insulin action during and oral glucose tolerance test. Furthermore, KBP-089 dose-dependently reduced the HFCC diet induced hepatomegaly and reduced circulating levels of triglycerides and AST. At the histological level, KBP-089 impressively reduced both the combined NAFLD activity score and HFCC induced fibrosis stage. In conclusion, KBP-089 is a weight reducing agent that is well tolerated when introduced by dose escalation. Importantly, KBP-089 improves metabolic and hepatic features of NASH in a human like NASH model system, hence revealing the potential of KBP-089 as a therapeutic target in the treatment of NASH. III. The Major Findings
Supercritical fluid synthesis and possible properties of "cubic graphite"

We report on supercritical ﬂuid synthesis of an intermediate carbon phase – austite – at a pressure of 180 MPa and temperatures 500–700 ◦ C from soot as a precursor and supercritical carbon dioxide as a solvent. According to the results of electron and X-ray diffractions, spectral measurements and density-functional theory calculations, the observed carbon phase is proved to be cubic with a lattice parameter value of 8.96 ± 0.05 ˚ A and a possible structural type as for KFI zeolite.
Bases nutricionales para la alimentación proteica del cerdo Ibérico puro

Along this review we describe the results from a series of experiments performed to assess the utilization of dietary protein by the Iberian pig throughout different stages of its productive cycle. Nutritional dose-response studies involving several isoenergetic treatments differing in protein concentration -all with similar amino acid profile following the ideal protein concept- along with comparative growth and metabolic studies with conventional breeds have been performed. Our observations reveal that the capacity of this breed for protein accretion is rather limited compared to that of conventional breeds at similar stages of growth, and suggest the need for reducing the concentration of protein in the diet of the Iberian pig to comply with its metabolic profile. Basic comparative studies have brought to light information to help us explaining some of the metabolic peculiarities of this autochthonous breed of pigs, like the low capacity to accrete protein and lean tissue. We summarise all the information gathered in several experiments and provide recommendations on the concentration and composition of dietary protein in the diet for purebred animals during different phases of growth. Adequate nutritional management, particularly dietary protein provision, improves the efficiency of utilization of dietary protein and results in relevant economic, environmental and animal welfare benefits.
The Deep Western Boundary Current and Adjacent Interior Circulation at 24°–30°N: Mean Structure and Mesoscale Variability

The mean North Atlantic Deep Water (NADW, 1000 < z < 5000 m) circulation and deep western boundary current (DWBC) variability offshore of Abaco, Bahamas, at 26.5°N are investigated from nearly two decades of velocity and hydrographic observations, and outputs from a 30-yr-long eddy-resolving global simulation. Observations at 26.5°N and Argo-derived geostrophic velocities show the presence of a mean Abaco Gyre spanning the NADW layer, consisting of a closed cyclonic circulation between approximately 24° and 30°N and 72° and 77°W. The southward-flowing portion of this gyre (the DWBC) is constrained to within ~150 km of the western boundary with a mean transport of ~30 Sv (1 Sv ≡ 106 m3 s−1). Offshore of the DWBC, the data show a consistent northward recirculation with net transports varying from 6.5 to 16 Sv. Current meter records spanning 2008–17 supported by the numerical simulation indicate that the DWBC transport variability is dominated by two distinct types of fluctuations: 1) periods of 250–280 days that occur regularly throughout the time series and 2) energetic oscillations with periods between 400 and 700 days that occur sporadically every 5–6 years and force the DWBC to meander far offshore for several months. The shorter-period variations are related to DWBC meandering caused by eddies propagating southward along the continental slope at 24°–30°N, while the longer-period oscillations appear to be related to large anticyclonic eddies that slowly propagate northwestward counter to the DWBC flow between ~20° and 26.5°N. Observational and theoretical evidence suggest that these two types of variability might be generated, respectively, by DWBC instability processes and Rossby waves reflecting from the western boundary.
Adjuvant therapy in patients with rectal adenocarcinoma treated with neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and radical resection in pathological stages I–III

Surgical Pathology, Instituto Nacional de Cancerología, Tlalpan, Mexico City, Mexico; Surgical Oncology, Hospital Angeles Tijuana, Tijuana, Baja California Norte, Mexico; Surgical Oncology, Instituto Nacional de Cancerología, Tlalpan, Mexico City, Mexico Correspondence to: Leonardo S. Lino-Silva, MD, MSc, MEd. Anatomic pathology professor, Gastrointestinal Pathology Division and Melanoma Division, Instituto Nacional de Cancerología de México (Mexico’s National Cancer Institute), Av. San Fernando # 22, Sección XVI, Tlalpan, Mexico City, CP 14080, Mexico. Email: saul.lino. sil@gmail.com. Provenance and Peer Review: This article was a free submission to the journal. The article did not undergo external peer review. Response to: Zhang H, Huang Y, Sun G, et al. Rectal cancer patients with downstaging after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and radical resection do not benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy. Ann Transl Med 2020;8:743.
Career Choice Tendency of State Senior High School Students in Industry 4.0 Era

Abstract : This study aims to describe the career choice tendency of state senior high school students in the industry 4.0 era. This research is quantitative descriptive research, in the form of a percentage, involving 236 students as the participants. The sample was chosen using cluster random sampling technique. For the instrument, this research used a questionnaire of students’ career choice tendency in the industry 4.0 era. The obtained data were analyzed using percentage descriptive statistics. The findings reveal that 93% of senior high school students in Malang city tend to choose a career in the business and repair services sector, then followed by 89% of students who select the trading and government administration sector. This study can be fundamental and primary data for school counselors in providing guidance and counseling services in the career field, such as career information services. This service belongs to one of the students’ consideration to carefully plan their career to achieve a bright future. Abstrak : Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mendeskripsikan kecenderungan pilihan karier siswa sekolah menengah atas negeri pada era revolusi industri 4.0. Penelitian ini merupakan penelitian kuantitatif deskriptif dalam bentuk persentase yang menggunakan sampel, dan melibatkan 236 siswa. Metode pemilihan sampel menggunakan teknik cluster random sampling . Instrumen yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah kuesioner kecenderungan pilihan karier siswa di era revolusi industri 4.0. Analisis data yang digunakan adalah teknik analisis data statistik deskriptif persentase. Temuan menunjukkan siswa sekolah menengah atas negeri se-Kota Malang di era revolusi industri 4.0 memiliki kecenderungan pilihan karier pada sektor layanan bisnis dan perbaikan dengan persentase 93% yang diikuti oleh sektor perdagangan dan pemerintahan yang masing-masing mendapatkan persentase 89%. Studi ini menjadi data dasar dan utama bagi konselor sekolah dalam memberikan layanan bimbingan dan konseling di bidang karier seperti layanan informasi karier yang merupakan komponen perencanaan individual siswa agar dapat merencanakan pilihan karier secara matang dan mendapatkan masa depan yang gemilang.
Can neural activities during the traditional Piagetian AB search task explain infants’ perseverative search error?:Preliminary results

Since the infant perseverative error (AB error) was first reported by Piaget in 1954, these findings have been well replicated. Yet there is no general agreement on why the error occurs and what aspect of infants’ cognition AB error reflects. Since looking and reaching measures have yielded mixed evidence of infant ability, neurological measures indexing online cognitive processes may shed light on the mechanisms underlying the error, clarifying how different experimental manipulations may highlight different aspects of infants’ cognition involved in the error. In this pilot study, we monitored neural activities while infants engaged in the task in a live setting. We tested 50 9-month-old infants and the final sample consisted of the data from 36 infants. EEG data collected during a 5-second delay period between infants’ observing the toy being hidden and their being allowed to search were grouped into 4 conditions according to the phase (A- or B-trial) and their performance (accurate or inaccurate). The result indicated that theta-band oscillatory activities might perhaps predict infants’ search performance. However, due to the small number of data and large individual differences, none of the statistical comparisons found a significant difference across conditions. Nevertheless, a methodological procedure and analysis pipeline for future EEG research using a live AB task has been established. This pilot study has positioned us ready to untangle a complex cognitive process involved in a behavioural task such as this AB search task utilising a neurological measure.
Tunable Polarization Gratings Based on Nematic Liquid Crystal Mixtures Photoaligned with Azo Polymer-Coated Substrates

Liquid crystal polarization gratings are of great interest for optical communications as elements performing beam steering, splitting, multiplexing or beam combining. Material birefringence, cell thickness or a period of the liquid crystal director pattern influence, among other features, spectroscopic and electro-optical characteristics of fabricated devices, determining thus their functionality and applicability. Here, we report on liquid crystal polarization gratings that allow for complete maximization of the first-order diffraction efficiency (resulting in total elimination of the zeroth-order diffraction) for any wavelength of an incident beam from green to the near-infrared spectral region by applying a low electric voltage. The gratings with periods as small as 10 μm were obtained by holographic exposure of the cell substrates coated with light-sensitive azo polymer alignment layers, and then filled with three different liquid crystal mixtures. The influence of gold nanoparticle dopants in the liquid crystalline mixtures on spectroscopic and electro-optical properties of the devices is presented. Moreover, on the basis of the measured transmittance spectra of the fabricated gratings, the unknown birefringence of liquid crystal mixtures as well as their effective birefringence due to molecular reorientation in the electric field in the visible and near IR region were determined.
Calcium-Calmodulin Gating of Connexin43 Gap Junctions in the Absence of the pH Gating Domain

Intracellular protons and calcium ions are two major chemical factors that regulate connexin43 (Cx43) gap junction channels and the synergism or antagonism between pH and Ca2+ has been questioned for decades. In this study, we assessed whether the calcium gating mechanism occurs independently of the pH gating mechanism by utilizing the Cx43-M257 (Cx43K258stop) mutant, a carboxyl-terminal (CT) truncated version of Cx43 lacking the pH gating domain. Dual whole cell patch clamp experiments were performed on Neuroblastoma-2a (N2a) cells or neonatal mouse ventricular myocytes (NMVMs) expressing either full length Cx43 or Cx43-M257 proteins. Addition of 1 μM ionomycin to normal calcium saline reduced Cx43 or Cx43-M257 macroscopic gap junction conductance (gj) to zero within 15 min of perfusion, while this response was prevented by omitting 1.8 mM CaCl2 from the external solution or adding 100 nM calmodulin (CaM) inhibitory peptide to the internal pipette solution. The ability of connexin calmodulin binding domain (Cx CaMBD) mimetic peptides and the Gap19 peptide to inhibit the Ca2+/CaM gating response of Cx43 gap junctions was also examined. Internal addition of a Cx50 cytoplasmic loop CaMBD peptide (200 nM) prevented the Ca2+/ionomycin-induced decrease in Cx43 gj, while 100 μM Gap19 peptide had no effect. Lastly, the transjunctional voltage (Vj) gating properties of NMVM Cx43-M257 gap junctions were investigated. We confirmed that the fast kinetic inactivation component was absent in Cx43-M257 gap junctions, but also observed that the previously reported facilitated recovery of gj from inactivating potentials was abolished by CT truncation of Cx43. We conclude that CT pH gating domain of Cx43 contributes to the Vj-dependent fast inactivation and facilitated recovery of Cx43 gap junctions, but the Ca2+/CaM-dependent gating mechanism remains intact. Sequence-specific Cx CaMBD mimetic peptides act by binding Ca2+/CaM non-specifically and the Cx43 mimetic Gap19 peptide has no effect on this chemical gating mechanism.
Restoring trust: COVID-19 and the future of long-term care in Canada

The Royal Society of Canada Task Force on COVID-19 was formed in April 2020 to provide evidence-informed perspectives on major societal challenges in response to and recovery from COVID-19. The Task Force established a series of working groups to rapidly develop policy briefings, with the objective of supporting policy makers with evidence to inform their decisions. This paper reports the findings of the COVID-19 Long-Term Care (LTC) working group addressing a preferred future for LTC in Canada, with a specific focus on COVID-19 and the LTC workforce. First, the report addresses the research context and policy environment in Canada’s LTC sector before COVID-19 and then summarizes the existing knowledge base for integrated solutions to challenges that exist in the LTC sector. Second, the report outlines vulnerabilities exposed because of COVID-19, including deficiencies in the LTC sector that contributed to the magnitude of the COVID-19 crisis. This section focuses especially on the characteristics of older adults living in nursing homes, their caregivers, and the physical environment of nursing homes as important contributors to the COVID-19 crisis. Finally, the report articulates principles for action and nine recommendations for action to help solve the workforce crisis in nursing homes.
Environmental implications for the production of honey from mesquite (Prosopis laevigata) in semi-arid ecosystems

Honey bees (Apis mellifera) are pollinators whose honey production has an important relationship with environmental change. Our aim was to quantify the effects of labor invested per beehive (J), rainfall (P), minimum temperature (T), and land use [forestry zones (F), scrub areas (S), induced grasslands (G), and agricultural areas (A)] with honey production with mesquite (Prosopis laevigata) as the primarily nectar source, from January to June using a Cobb‒Douglas production function with two-stage least squares. Data from 1998 to 2012 were collected from meteorological stations and their surrounding areas. From 1998 to 2012, the average honey production was 17.08 ± 6.86 kg/beehive. The elasticity coefficients (βi’s) of Cobb‒Douglas function showed positive effects of an increase in the S and F areas, and J (p < 0.0001), but negative effects of an increase of the areas A and G on honey production (p < 0.008). The reduction in rainfall (0–15%) and primarily the increment of 0.6–2.5 °C in temperature projected for 2020 and 2050 would be important climatic changes that could negatively affect honey production (p < 0.01) and represent important economic losses. Our study shows that honey production could be a bioeconomic indicator useful not only to relate the services provided by honey bees with environmental changes, but also to convert some aspects of climate, land use and density of vegetal biomass changes into financial terms.
Immersed boundary methods and their applicability in wind energy

Airborne wind energy systems often use kites made of thin membranes to save material costs and increase mobility. However, this design choice increases the complexity of the aeroelastic behaviour of the system and demands high-fidelity tools. On the aerodynamic side of the multi-physics problem, it is quite challenging to create a high quality body conforming grid due to the complexity of the geometry and the degree of deformation it undergoes. Immersed boundary methods (IBMs) are quite popular in fluid-structure interaction (FSI) problems that involve arbitrarily deforming bodies with complex geometries and are more tolerant to deformations compared to mesh deforming methods like ALE. This paper will look at some of the popular IBMs, outline criteria to evaluate their applicability, and discuss the limitations they have in fulfilling those in problems involving thin membranes.
Atomistic modeling of electrocatalysis: Are we there yet?

Electrified interfaces play a prime role in energy technologies, from batteries and capacitors to heterogeneous electrocatalysis. The atomistic understanding and modeling of these interfaces is challenging due to the structural complexity and the presence of the electrochemical potential. Including the potential explicitly in the quantum mechanical simulations is equivalent to simulating systems with a surface charge. For realistic relationships between the potential and the surface charge (i.e., the capacity), the solvent and counter charge need to be considered. The solvent and electrolyte description are limited by the computational power: either molecules or ions are included explicitly or implicit solvent and electrolyte descriptions are adopted. The first option is limited by the phase‐space sampling that is at least 10 times too small to reach convergence, while the second is missing a realistic structuring of the interface. Both approaches suffer from a lack of validation against directly comparable experimental data. Furthermore, the limitations of density functional theory in terms of accuracy are critical for these metal/liquid interfaces. Nevertheless, the atomistic insight in electrocatalytic interfaces allows insights with unprecedented details. The joint theoretical and experimental efforts to design non‐noble hydrogen evolution catalysts are discussed as an example for the success of theory to spur and accelerate experimental discoveries.
A STRUCTURAL EQUATION MODEL ANALYZING THE RELATIONSHIP OF STUDENTS’ ATTITUDES TOWARD STATISTICS, PRIOR REASONING ABILITIES AND COURSE PERFORMANCE

Recent research in statistical reasoning has focused on the developmental process in students when learning statistical reasoning skills. This study investigates statistical reasoning from the perspective of individual differences. As manifestation of heterogeneity, students’ prior attitudes toward statistics, measured by the extended Survey of Attitudes Toward Statistics (SATS), are used (Schau, Stevens, Dauphinee & DeVecchio, 1995). Students’ statistical reasoning abilities are identified by the Statistical Reasoning Assessment (SRA) instrument (Garfield 1996, 1998a, 2003). The aim of the study is to investigate the relationship between attitudes and reasoning abilities by estimating a full structural equation model. Instructional implications of the model for the teaching of statistical reasoning are discussed.
New Critical Length for the Onset of Self‐Aggregation of Moist Convection

Convective self‐aggregation (CSA) in an idealized modeling framework is key to understanding the role of clouds. To investigate the existence of characteristic length of CSA onset, we conducted systematic cloud‐resolving simulations, with a scope covering the horizontal domain size and resolution. In the high‐resolution simulation, CSA can occur with a square domain larger than ~500 km. Based on the competition between two near‐surface horizontal divergent flows, we discuss the characteristic length existence. While the flow induced by radiative cooling in the subsidence region acts as positive feedback for moisture perturbation and scales with the domain size, the other flow induced by evaporative cooling of falling rain in the convective region acts as negative feedback and does not scale. The study suggests characteristic length existence for the organization of moist convection, even in real‐world conditions.
The Relationship Between Media Multitasking Behavior and Executive Function in Adolescence: A Replication Study

The proliferation of digital gadgets and increased media consumption among adolescents has raised interest and concern regarding possible effects on cognitive functioning. Research investigating this relationship has yielded mixed results. This study aims to replicate the research conducted by Baumgartner et al. concerning the relationship between adolescent media multitasking and executive functioning on a sample of 296 Romanian early adolescents. The same methodology as the original study was followed and its findings were partially replicated. Mainly, results of regression analyses indicated that more media multitasking with media activities was related to more self-reported executive difficulties, but not with performance on three computerized executive functioning tasks. Media multitasking with non-media activities was unrelated to executive functioning. When comparing extreme groups, however, heavier media multitasking was associated with faster performance on the task-shifting and inhibition computerized tasks. Implications for cognitive development and research methodology are discussed.
Isolation and screening of phosphate solubilising fungi from Okra rhizosphere soil and their effect on the growth of Okra plant (Abelmoschous esculentus L.)

Soil microbiota plays an important role in enhances the available nutrients in the soil for plants. In this study twenty-two filamentous fungi were isolated from the Okra rhizosphere soil. Based on primary screening for phosphate solubilizing potential on solid Pikovskaya’s medium ten isolates were selected for quantitative estimation in liquid medium amended with Tricalcium phosphate (TCP) and Rock Phosphate (RP). Aspergillus niger strain (AMB) solubilized maximum TCP & RP and release 295.1 & 221.8 μg ml -1 inorganic-P, while Aspergillus japonicas released maximum P in liquid media amended with TCP (298.5 μg ml -1 ). The other tested isolates Penicillium sp. , two strains of Trichoderma viride and Chaetomium globosum released a significant amount of P in liquid media from 0.5% TCP&RP after ten days. Furthermore, the application of selected phosphate solubilizers in the form of consortium and in a combination of the recommended dose of fertilizers resulted good growth of Okra plants in compare to recommended dose of chemical fertilizers. This fungal consortium may serve as very good phosphate solubilizers and can be used as a biofertilizer.