Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Deconfinement and chiral phase transitions in quark matter with a strong electric field

The deconfinement and chiral phase transitions are studied in the context of the electrized quark matter at finite temperature in the two-flavor Polyakov--Nambu--Jona-Lasinio model. Using the mean field approximation and an electric field independent regularization we show that the effect of temperature and/or electric fields is to partially restore the chiral symmetry. The deconfinement phase transition is slightly affected by the magnitude of the electric field. To this end we show how the effective quark masses and the expectation value of the Polyakov loop are affected by the electric fields at finite temperatures. As a very interesting result, the pseudocritical temperatures for chiral symmetry restoration and deconfinement decrease as we increase the magnitude of the electric fields; however, both start to increase after some critical value of the electric field.
Galangin Protects against Symptoms of Dextran Sodium Sulfate-Induced Acute Colitis by Activating Autophagy and Modulating the Gut Microbiota

Galangin is a natural flavonoid that has been reported to provide substantial health benefits. Nevertheless, little is known about the potential effects of galangin against inflammatory bowel diseases. Here, an in vivo study was performed to investigate the preventive effects of galangin against dextran sulphate sodium (DSS)-induced acute murine colitis, which mimics the symptoms of human ulcerative colitis (UC). Pre-treatment with galangin (15 mg/kg, p.o.) resulted in a significant decreased in the macroscopic signs of DSS-induced colitic symptoms, including a decreased disease activity index, prevention of the colon length shortening, and alleviation of the pathological changes occurring in the colon. Colonic pro-inflammatory mediators, including tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin (IL)-1 beta, and IL-6, as well as myeloperoxidase activities were decreased following galangin pre-treatment when compared with the DSS control group. Moreover, galangin pre-treatment significantly increased the expressions of autophagy-related proteins and promoted the formation of autophagosome in the colon. Galangin pre-treatment increased the diversity of the gut microbiota, and this was accompanied by increased levels of short-chain fatty acids. These observed changes could involve the modulating effects conferred by galangin in relation to some specific bacteria populations, including the recovery of Lactobacillus spp. , and increased Butyricimonas spp. Overall, these results support the use of galangin in the prevention of UC.
GREEN WATER FOOTPRINT AND SUSTAINABILITY FOR ESPIRITO SANTO STATE

Water footprint is a relatively new concept of freshwater appropriation that considers its direct and indirect use by a consumer or producer and used as a comprehensive indicator of the appropriation of water resources. The objective of this study was to estimate the green water footprint and evaluate its sustainability in the state of Espirito Santo, using the land use information and indicators of water scarcity. The total green water footprint was estimated by the sum of the green water footprints of pasture, forest, coffee cultivation, forestry, and other agricultural uses. The state’s total green footprint estimated was 47.5 billion m³/year, and the pasture class represented 48.5% of this total, followed by forest (29.8%), coffee cultivation (10.1%), forestry (6.4%), and other crops (5.2%). The ratio between the mean annual total volume of precipitated water and the green WF in the state was 80%. The environmental sustainability assessment shows that the green footprint was unsustainable for most of the year, on average, mainly in the May to September.
Clinical Profile and Outcome of Intracranial Bleeding in Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis at a Tertiary Hospital

Background: Stroke is one of the leading causes of mortality in the dialysis population. Although there is plenty of literature available for cardiovascular risk factors in dialysis patients, very few studies have focused on cerebrovascular events and Indian data are sparse. Objectives: This study was undertaken to address some of these shortcomings. Methods: This is a matched cohort study. There were 30 cases with intracranial bleeding (ICB) in hemodialysis patients whose clinical profiles were compared with 60 matched controls with no ICB and the data was analyzed. Results: The common cause of chronic kidney disease (CKD) was diabetes. Event BP was high but not significantly. Serum albumin values were lower in patients than in controls (2.65 vs. 3.15 g/dL). The common site of bleeding in our study was intraparenchymal (60%), followed by subdural hematoma (30%). Mortality was 76.7% in one month. Although the incidence of bleeding was slightly more in the thrice-weekly dialysis group, the difference was not significant. The diabetic status of ICB patients was poorly controlled. Conclusions: Hemodialysis patients have multiple risk factors for ICB and low serum albumin could be one of them. These patients have high short-term mortality (76.7%). There was a slightly increased incidence of ICB in patients who underwent thrice-weekly dialysis and those with poor glycemic control. This needs a systemic study with larger sample size and longer follow-up.
New fjords, new coasts, new landscapes: The geomorphology of paraglacial coasts formed after recent glacier retreat in Brepollen (Hornsund, southern Svalbard)

Changes in the properties and dynamics of tidewater glacier systems are key indicators of the state of Arctic climate and environment. Calving of tidewater glacier fronts is currently the dominant form of ice mass loss and a major contributor to global sea‐level rise. An important yet under‐studied aspect of this process is transformation of Arctic landscapes, where new lands and coastal systems are revealed due to the recession of marine‐terminating ice masses. The evolution of those freshly exposed paraglacial coastal environments is controlled by nearshore marine, coastal and terrestrial geomorphic processes, which rework glacial‐derived sediments to create new coastal paraglacial landforms and landscapes. Here, we present the first study of the paraglacial coasts of Brepollen, one of the youngest bays of Svalbard revealed by ice retreat. We describe and classify coastal systems and the variety of landforms (deltas, cliffs, tidal flats, beaches) developed along the shores of Brepollen during the last 100 years. We further discuss the main modes of sediment supply to the coast in different parts of the new bay, highlighting the fast rate of coastal transformation as a paraglacial response to rapid deglaciation in the Arctic. This study provides an exemplar of likely coastal responses to be anticipated in similar tidewater settings under future climate change. © 2020 The Authors. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd
Inhibition on inflammatory cytokine expressions in heart and lung from brain death rats pretreated with Buyang Huanwu Decoction.

Objective To observe the inhibition of inflammatory cytokine expressions in hearts and lungs from brain death(BD)rats pretreated with Buyang Huanwu Decoction(BYHWT). Methods Male Wistar rats,weighing from 180 to 200 g,were randomly divided into three experimental groups:control group(n=10):hearts and lungs were gotten from normal rats after anesthesia;BD group(n=10):rat brain death was gradually induced;BYHWT+BD group(n=10):7 d before BD induction,rats were ig administered with BYHWT(1.8 mL/100 g)once daily.Six hours after successful onset of BD,only the rats whose mean arterial blood pressure were more than 80 mmHg were accepted as BD donors.Hearts and lungs were then obtained.RT-PCR was used to detect the expressions of TNF-α and IL-1β mRNA.Western blotting method was applied to determining the expressions of both TNF-α and IL-1β proteins,and the phosphorylated p38 MAPK(p-p38 MAPK)proteins.Results The expressions of mRNA and protein levels of both TNF-α and IL-1β,and also the p-p38 MAPK proteins levels,were significantly enhanced in BD group compared to the control group(P0.01). While those in BYHWT+BD group were statistically decreased(P0.05)compared to BD group,but they were still significantly increased(P0.01)in comparison with the control group.Conclusion Pretreatment of the rats with BYHWT prior to the induction of rat brain death could significantly suppress the expression of inflammatory cytokines in the hearts and lungs from BD rats.This phenomenon may relate to the blockage of key target points in p38 MAPK signaling pathway.
Multicenter evaluation of a homogeneous assay for HDL-cholesterol without sample pretreatment

We evaluated a new homogeneous assay for the measurement of HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C) in six European laboratories. The assay includes two reagents and is applicable to most autoanalyzers, which allows full automation. The total CVs of the new method ranged between 1.3% and 6.7%. Thereby determined HDL-C values were in good agreement with those obtained by precipitation with phosphotungstic acid/MgCl2 or by a combination of ultracentrifugation and precipitation (0.956 100 mg/L showed discrepancies between the homogeneous and the precipitation assay. Lipemia up to total triglyceride concentrations of 8000 mg/L did not interfere with the homogeneous HDL-C assay. The homogeneous HDL-C assay was easy to handle and produced similar results in all laboratories participating in this study. This method will significantly facilitate the screening of individuals at increased risk for cardiovascular disease.
Anti-reflux mucosal ablation (ARMA) as a new treatment for gastroesophageal reflux refractory to proton pump inhibitors: a pilot study *

Abstract Background The incidence of proton pump inhibitor (PPI)-refractory gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) has been increasing. While surgical intervention with Laparoscopic Nissen Fundoplication remains the gold standard, less invasive anti-reflux interventions are desired. We have developed a minimally invasive anti-reflux mucosal ablation (ARMA) treatment. Herein, we report its technical details and describe its feasibility, safety, and efficacy in PPI-refractory GERD. Methods We conducted a prospective single-center single-arm interventional trial evaluating the outcome of ARMA in 12 patients with PPI-refractory GERD. GERD-Health Related Quality of Life Questionnaire (GERD-HRQL) evaluation, Frequency Scale for the Symptoms of GERD (FSSG) assessment, and impedance-pH monitoring were performed at baseline and at 2 months post-ARMA. Results A total of 12 patients underwent ARMA with a median follow-up duration of 9 months (range: 6 – 14 months). Median GERD-HRQL score significantly improved from 30.5 to 12 (P = 0.002); median FSSG score significantly improved from 25 to 10.5 (P = 0.002), and median DeMeester score decreased from 33.5 to 2.8 (P = 0.049) at 2 months follow-up. No immediate complications were observed. Conclusion Our pilot study has shown that ARMA, a new endoscopic treatment for PPI-refractory GERD, is simple, safe, and improves GERD-related symptoms and objective acid reflux parameters.
Next speakers plan word forms in overlap with the incoming turn: evidence from gaze-contingent switch task performance

ABSTRACT To ensure short gaps between turns in conversation, next speakers regularly start planning their utterance in overlap with the incoming turn. Three experiments investigate which stages of utterance planning are executed in overlap. E1 establishes effects of associative and phonological relatedness of pictures and words in a switch-task from picture naming to lexical decision. E2 focuses on effects of phonological relatedness and investigates potential shifts in the time-course of production planning during background speech. E3 required participants to verbally answer questions as a base task. In critical trials, however, participants switched to visual lexical decision just after they began planning their answer. The task-switch was time-locked to participants' gaze for response planning. Results show that word form encoding is done as early as possible and not postponed until the end of the incoming turn. Hence, planning a response during the incoming turn is executed at least until word form activation.
Depicting Students’ Social Presence on Social Networking Site in Course-Related Interaction

Social networking sites (SNS) are widely used among students, where its integration in higher education is increasing across years. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze students’ use of social presence (SP) expressions in blended learning environment using Facebook group as a medium of online discussion. A total of 11 students and one instructor were involved in 7-week multimedia learning course in one of the Malaysian universities. The content of students’ online discussion on Facebook group was the source of the data in this study. The discussion content was transcribed, coded, and analyzed, and the frequencies of categories were calculated to determine students’ use of SP expressions. The findings of the study revealed that students focus on delivering more interactive response (IR) posts across all learning topics. Interestingly, although SNS are social in nature, this study revealed that students’ use of SP expressions on SNS was intended to improve course discussion interactivity rather than for pure socializing purpose. However, more theoretical topics triggered higher number of SP posts compared with technical focused topics. More importantly, the way students used SP expressions during course-related interaction through Facebook may contribute to improved performance in test.
Myricetin, the Main Flavonoid in Syzygium cumini Leaf, Is a Novel Inhibitor of Platelet Thiol Isomerases PDI and ERp5

Background Flavonoids have been characterized as a prominent class of compounds to treat thrombotic diseases through the inhibition of thiol isomerases. Syzygium cumini is a flavonoid-rich medicinal plant that contains myricetin and gallic acid. Little is known about the potential antiplatelet properties of S. cumini and its constituent flavonoids. Objective To evaluate the antiplatelet effects and mechanism of action of a polyphenol-rich extract (PESc) from S. cumini leaf and its most prevalent polyphenols, myricetin and gallic acid. Methods PESc, myricetin, and gallic acid were incubated with platelet-rich plasma and washed platelets to assess platelet aggregation and activation. In vitro platelet adhesion and thrombus formation as well as in vivo bleeding time were performed. Finally, myricetin was incubated with recombinant thiol isomerases to assess its potential to bind and inhibit these, while molecular docking studies predicted possible binding sites. Results PESc decreased platelet activation and aggregation induced by different agonists. Myricetin exerted potent antiplatelet effects, whereas gallic acid did not. Myricetin reduced the ability of platelets to spread on collagen, form thrombi in vitro without affecting hemostasis in vivo. Fluorescence quenching studies suggested myricetin binds to different thiol isomerases with similar affinity, despite inhibiting only protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) and ERp5 reductase activities. Finally, molecular docking studies suggested myricetin formed non-covalent bonds with PDI and ERp5. Conclusions PESc and its most abundant flavonoid myricetin strongly inhibit platelet function. Additionally, myricetin is a novel inhibitor of ERp5 and PDI, unveiling a new therapeutic perspective for the treatment of thrombotic disorders.
Geological and Climatic Factors Affect the Population Genetic Connectivity in Mirabilis himalaica (Nyctaginaceae): Insight From Phylogeography and Dispersal Corridors in the Himalaya-Hengduan Biodiversity Hotspot

The genetic architecture within a species in the Himalaya-Hengduan Mountains (HHM) region was considered as the consolidated consequence of historical orogenesis and climatic oscillations. The visualization of dispersal corridors as the function of population genetic connectivity became crucial to elucidate the spatiotemporal dynamics of organisms. However, geodiversity and physical barriers created by paleo geo-climatic events acted vigorously to impact notable alterations in the phylogeographic pattern and dispersal corridors. Therefore, to achieve detailed phylogeography, locate dispersal corridors and estimate genetic connectivity, we integrated phylogeography with species distribution modelling and least cost path of Mirabilis himalaica (Edgew.) Heimerl in the HHM. We amplified four cpDNA regions (petL-psbE, rps16-trnK, rps16 intron, trnS-trnG), and a low copy nuclear gene (G3pdh) from 241 individuals of 29 populations. SAMOVA, genealogical relationships, and phylogenetic analysis revealed four spatially structured phylogroups for M. himalaica with the onset of diversification in late Pliocene (c. 3.64 Ma). No recent demographic growth was supported by results of neutrality tests, mismatch distribution analysis and Bayesian skyline plot. Paleo-distribution modelling revealed the range dynamics of M. himalaica to be highly sensitive to geo-climatic change with limited long-distance dispersal ability and potential evolutionary adaptation. Furthermore, river drainage systems, valleys and mountain gorges were identified as the corridors for population genetic connectivity among the populations. It is concluded that recent intense mountain uplift and subsequent climatic alterations including monsoonal changes since Pliocene or early Pleistocene formulated fragmented habitats and diverse ecology that governed the habitat connectivity, evolutionary and demographic history of M. himalaica. The integrative genetic and geospatial method would bring new implications for the evolutionary process and conservation priority of HHM endemic species.
An Improved Melon Reference Genome With Single-Molecule Sequencing Uncovers a Recent Burst of Transposable Elements With Potential Impact on Genes

The published melon (Cucumis melo L.) reference genome assembly (v3.6.1) has still 41.6 Mb (Megabases) of sequences unassigned to pseudo-chromosomes and about 57 Mb of gaps. Although different approaches have been undertaken to improve the melon genome assembly in recent years, the high percentage of repeats (~40%) and limitations due to read length have made it difficult to resolve gaps and scaffold's misassignments to pseudomolecules, especially in the heterochromatic regions. Taking advantage of the PacBio single- molecule real-time (SMRT) sequencing technology, an improvement of the melon genome was achieved. About 90% of the gaps were filled and the unassigned sequences were drastically reduced. A lift-over of the latest annotation v4.0 allowed to re-collocate protein-coding genes belonging to the unassigned sequences to the pseudomolecules. A direct proof of the improvement reached in the new melon assembly was highlighted looking at the improved annotation of the transposable element fraction. By screening the new assembly, we discovered many young (inserted less than 2Mya), polymorphic LTR-retrotransposons that were not captured in the previous reference genome. These elements sit mostly in the pericentromeric regions, but some of them are inserted in the upstream region of genes suggesting that they can have regulatory potential. This improved reference genome will provide an invaluable tool for identifying new gene or transposon variants associated with important phenotypes.
Local D2- to D1-neuron transmodulation updates goal-directed learning in the striatum

A learning mechanism in the striatum An intriguing characteristic of the striatum is the random spatial distribution and high degree of intermingling between expression of dopamine receptor types 1 (D1) and 2 (D2) within striatal projection neurons (SPNs). The resulting highly entropic mosaic extends through a homogeneous space and is mostly devoid of histological boundaries. The rules established locally by D1- and D2-expressing SPNs (D1-SPNs and D2-SPNs) are thus likely critical in defining how functional territories develop throughout the striatum. Matamales et al. found that activated D2-SPNs access and modify developing behavioral programs encoded by regionally defined ensembles of transcriptionally active D1-SPNs. This process is slow because it depends on the molecular integration of additive neuro-modulatory signals. However, with time, it creates the regional functional boundaries that are necessary to identify and shape specific learning in the striatum. Science, this issue p. 549 Local and dynamic D2- to D1-neuron modulation in the striatum is necessary for reshaping goal-directed learning. Extinction learning allows animals to withhold voluntary actions that are no longer related to reward and so provides a major source of behavioral control. Although such learning is thought to depend on dopamine signals in the striatum, the way the circuits that mediate goal-directed control are reorganized during new learning remains unknown. Here, by mapping a dopamine-dependent transcriptional activation marker in large ensembles of spiny projection neurons (SPNs) expressing dopamine receptor type 1 (D1-SPNs) or 2 (D2-SPNs) in mice, we demonstrate an extensive and dynamic D2- to D1-SPN transmodulation across the striatum that is necessary for updating previous goal-directed learning. Our findings suggest that D2-SPNs suppress the influence of outdated D1-SPN plasticity within functionally relevant striatal territories to reshape volitional action.
Spatial variation in early patterns of algal recruitment in a tropical intertidal community

Spatial variation in the patterns of early algal recruitment in a tropical intertidal shore was tested among different degrees of wave exposure and shore elevation levels. Algal recruitment showed a simple pattern. An ephemeral green alga, Ulva paradoxa was the early colonist that had high coverage and Padina in Vaughaniella stage and Polysiphonia sphaerocarpa were late successional algae that had very low coverage. This might be because Ulva is an opportunist pioneer species that reproduces all the year round with a large numbers of motile gametes and has a fast colonization, while those two species are slower colonizers. The degree of wave exposure and shore elevation level had no significant effect on the percentage covers of three dominant algae. However, the plots cleared at the exposed shore had the lowest percent cover of three algal species and algal species diversity, because the arrival and settlement of new recruits were influenced by wave action and absence of a stable and suitable substrate.