Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Intestinal and Renal Adaptations to Changes of Dietary Phosphate Concentrations in Rat

Abstract We have studied the role of the intestine, kidney, and several hormones when adapting to changes in dietary P concentration. Normal and parathyroidectomized (PTX) rats were fed pH-matched diets containing 0.1%, 0.6%, and 1.2% P concentrations. 32Pi uptake was determined in the jejunum and kidney cortex brush border membrane vesicles. Several hormone and ion concentrations were determined in the blood and urine of rats. Both jejunum and kidney cortex Pi transport was regulated with 5 d of chronic feeding of P diets in normal rats. Acute adaptation was determined by switching foods on day 6, which was only clearly observed in the kidney cortex of normal rats, with more statistical variability in the jejunum. However, no paradoxical increase of Pi uptake in the jejunum was reproduced after the acute switch to the 1.2% P diet. Pi uptake in the jejunum was parathyroid hormone (PTH)-independent, but in the kidney, the chronic adaptation was reduced, and no acute dietary adaptations were observed. The NaPi2a protein was more abundant in the PTX than the sham kidneys, but contrary to the modest or absent changes in Pi uptake adaptation, the transporter was similarly regulated by dietary P, as in the sham rats. PTH and fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) were the only hormones regulated by all diet changes, even in fasting animals, which exhibited regulated Pi transport despite similar phosphatemia. Evidence of Pi appetite effects was also observed. In brief, our results show new characteristics of Pi adaptations, including a lack of correlation between Pi transport, NaPi2a expression, and PTH/FGF23 concentrations.
Robust Prescribed-Time Coordination Control of Signed Networks With Arbitrary Topologies

This article targets at addressing the robust prescribed-time coordination control (PTCC) problems for single-integrator signed networks (SNs) with external disturbances under arbitrary fixed signed digraphs without any structural constraints. Toward this end, the PTCC problems for nominal single-integrator SNs without disturbances are first investigated and a fully distributed control protocol with a time-varying gain, which grows to infinity as the time approaches the prescribed settling time, is proposed utilizing the relative states of neighboring agents. Then, based on the proposed control protocol for the nominal single-integrator SNs, a new second-order prescribed-time sliding mode control protocol is constructed to achieve accurate PTCC for single-integrator SNs in the presence of external disturbances. Using Lyapunov-based analysis, necessary and sufficient conditions to guarantee the prescribed-time stability, bipartite consensus, interval bipartite consensus, and bipartite containment of single-integrator SNs without or with disturbances are, respectively, derived. In the end, numerical examples are given to confirm the derived results.
DIAGNOSTIC METHODS AND ADVANCEMENTS IN THE DETECTION OF VIRAL INFECTIONS IN ANIMALS

Detecting and diagnosing viral infections in animals play a pivotal role in ensuring the health and well-being of both domesticated and wild species. The study investigates diagnostic methods for detecting viral infections in a diverse animal population (n=300). Employing serological assays, molecular diagnostics, point-of-care testing, and advanced imaging technologies, the research explores sensitivities and specificities of each method. Molecular techniques, particularly PCR and NGS, exhibit consistent high performance, while point-of-care testing and imaging technologies offer practical on-site applications. Demographic considerations enrich the findings, emphasizing the importance of a multidisciplinary approach. This study contributes to refining veterinary diagnostic strategies and advocates for integrating artificial intelligence to address global disparities in diagnostic accessibility.
Effects of midstory removal on underplanted black oak and white oak in the western Cumberland Plateau

Diffi culties in successful oak regeneration have led to the examination of various techniques to increase oak recruitment. To ensure suffi cient regeneration, oak seedlings can be underplanted and used in conjunction with intermediate treatments, such as midstory removal, that create a light environment favorable to oak advance reproduction. Th is study examines the 5-year response of underplanted white oak (Quercus alba L.) and black oak (Quercus velutina L.) seedlings to a midstory removal on intermediate sites within the western edge of the Cumberland Plateau. Th ree sites were established and split to provide an area where the midstory remained intact and an area where the midstory was removed. At each site, white and black oak 1-0 bareroot seedlings were underplanted. Midstory removal treatments removed 13 to 19 percent of the basal area in treated units. Seedling height, ground line diameter, and survival status were measured at the time of treatment implementation (spring 2004) and after fi ve growing seasons. Fifth-year survival of white and black oaks under an intact midstory was 51 and 14 percent, respectively. Under removed midstories, white oak survival averaged 81 percent while black oak averaged 32 percent. Midstory removal increased diameter growth for both underplanted white and black oaks. Treatments did not aff ect seedling height growth of either species. Th e ground line diameter growth response is consistent with known patterns of oak carbon allocation favoring development of root systems prior to height growth, indicating increased aboveground growth potential.
Straight to the Sources: Analyzing Elementary Preservice Teacher Planning for Inquiry

Through a multiphase coding process, the researchers examined the selection, characteristics, and planned use of 111 written, visual, oral, and material sources that preservice teachers incorporated into plans for inquiry-based elementary social studies instruction. Preservice teachers identified Google as their main tool for locating potential sources, selected far more secondary than primary sources, and varied widely in how they prepared sources for elementary students. Planned use of sources focused almost entirely on identifying key details, with limited opportunities designed for students to contextualize sources, examine bias, or corroborate evidence. Implications for teacher education related to source selection and analysis are discussed.
Anthropogenic changes in a confined groundwater flow system in the Bangkok Basin, Thailand, part II: how much water has been renewed?

Excessive groundwater pumping from the sedimentary basin underlying the Bangkok metropolitan area, Thailand, has caused not only piezometric level decline but also enhancement of groundwater recharge. Although groundwater renewal has accelerated, it remains unclear how much water in confined aquifers has been renewed owing to the excessive pumping. To reveal the details of the groundwater renewal process, we performed a water budget analysis and virtual tracer experiment using a numerical model of groundwater flow and solute transport. Mean turnover time was 45600 yr prior to the beginning of significant pumping in 1954, which then shortened to 3500 yr in 2001. The renewed water fraction since 1954 was estimated to be only 0·78% in 2007 on average over the whole basin. This is a reflection of the huge storage capacity of the basin, relatively low recharge rate due both to existence of a thick clay (Bangkok clay), and low plain gradient. The spatially distributed renewed water fraction, which was obtained from the virtual tracer experiment, was no more than 1% in most aquifers except for basin margins where the aquifers are exposed, while in the uppermost BK aquifer it exceeded 5% over a wide extent and reached more than 20% at an alluvial fan. The estimated fraction of renewed water was generally consistent with measured 3H concentrations, demonstrating in part the validity of the numerical model used. The results from our studies indicate that modern waters recharged since 1954 have minimal affect on water quality in the main production aquifers. However, water storage and pressure in aquifers respond quickly to increase in pumping rate, potentially affecting land subsidence. Thus, we have to focus on different time‐scales between groundwater quantity and quality management. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Compositional Variations and Provenance of Triassic Sandstones from the Barents Shelf

ABSTRACT Triassic sandstones from a large area ranging from the Pechora Sea and Novaya Zemlya in the southeast to the western Barents Sea and Svalbard have been analyzed by petrographic, mineralogical, mineral-chemical, and Sm-Nd bulk-rock isotopic methods. The largest compositional variation is seen in the Lower Triassic deposits. Epidote-bearing, lithic-rich sandstones are characteristic of the eastern Barents Sea, Novaya Zemlya, and the Timan-Pechora Basin, and indicate a provenance from the Polar Urals. Quartzo-feldspathic sandstones in the Hammerfest Basin may have been derived from deeper crustal plutonic and metamorphic rocks of the Caledonides and Baltic margin, whereas the source of quartz-dominated sandstones on Spitsbergen was a paleoland in the northwest, in the vicinity of paleo-Greenland. Calculated Sm-Nd provenance ages for Lower Triassic deposits are in the range of 1500-1880 Ma for sandstones from Spitsbergen, the Hammerfest Basin, and the Finnmark Platform. Sandstone provenance ages for samples analyzed from the eastern Barents Sea are significantly younger, with a range of 600-1280 Ma and an average of 780 Ma. Sandstones in central shelf areas, i.e., the Nordkapp Basin-Bjarmeland Platform, are rich in both lithics and feldspar and have intermediate provenance ages (960-1630 Ma). The largest influence of older components occurs in samples from the Nordkapp Basin. This may be related to sediment supply both from the Caledonized Baltic margin and Uralides, and from local uplifted areas composed of Paleozoic sedimentary rocks. Middle and Upper Triassic sandstones display compositional variations at different times in different areas due to local changes in provenance. However, in the Upper Triassic there appears to be a convergence in sandstone compositions reflecting both more extensive mixing of components from the eastern and western provenance areas as well as changes to more evolved compositions of the erosional products derived from the paleo-Urals. There is also a question of increasing influence from possible paleolands in the northeast. The most important compositional change was the distinct increase in sandstone maturity that took place on a regional scale in the Arctic in the latest Triassic-Early Jurassic. This may in part have been caused by extensive reworking connected with a regional transgression and sea-level raise.
Effects of Urbanization on Avian Community of Urban Birds in the Three Gorges Reservoir Area of Fuling

The survey on urban bird community in main towns in the Three Gorges Reservoir Area(Fuling section) was conducted with the method of line transect census during July to August 2009.Effects of urbanization on avian community in the Three Gorges Reservoir Area were discussed.The results showed that 33 species were recorded,belonging to 23 families and 7 orders.Diversity,evenness index and dominant extent of urban birds community were counted for 2.498 9,0.714 7and 0.117 1.Along city grads of common town,center town,center city,urbanization synthetical index was gradually elevatory.Obvious discrimination existed in avian community in different city habitats,as species and community diversity reached tiptop in center town,and evenness index became lower along city grads in opposition to dominant extent.The main urban habitat factors effecting on avian community were foliage height diversity,number of tree species and human disturbance.
Circulating plasma miR-23b-3p as a biomarker target for idiopathic Parkinson's disease: comparison with small extracellular vesicle miRNA

Background Parkinson's disease (PD) is an increasingly common neurodegenerative condition, which causes movement dysfunction and a broad range of non-motor symptoms. There is no molecular or biochemical diagnosis test for PD. The miRNAs are a class of small non-coding RNAs and are extensively studied owing to their altered expression in pathological states and facile harvesting and analysis techniques. Methods A total of 48 samples (16 each of PD, aged-matched, and young controls) were recruited. The small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) were isolated and validated using Western blot, transmission electron microscope, and nanoparticle tracking analysis. Small RNA isolation, library preparation, and small RNA sequencing followed by differential expression and targeted prediction of miRNA were performed. The real-time PCR was performed with the targeted miRNA on PD, age-matched, and young healthy control of plasma and plasma-derived sEVs to demonstrate their potential as a diagnostic biomarker. Results In RNA sequencing, we identified 14.89% upregulated (fold change 1.11 to 11.04, p < 0.05) and 16.54% downregulated (fold change −1.04 to −7.28, p < 0.05) miRNAs in PD and controls. Four differentially expressed miRNAs (miR-23b-3p, miR-29a-3p, miR-19b-3p, and miR-150-3p) were selected. The expression of miR-23b-3p was “upregulated” (p = 0.002) in plasma, whereas “downregulated” (p = 0.0284) in plasma-derived sEVs in PD than age-matched controls. The ROC analysis of miR-23b-3p revealed better AUC values in plasma (AUC = 0.8086, p = 0.0029) and plasma-derived sEVs (AUC = 0.7278, p = 0.0483) of PD and age-matched controls. Conclusion We observed an opposite expression profile of miR-23b-3p in PD and age-matched healthy control in plasma and plasma-derived sEV fractions, where the expression of miR-23b-3p is increased in PD plasma while decreased in plasma-derived sEV fractions. We further observed the different miR-23b-3p expression profiles in young and age-matched healthy control.
Differential diagnostics of food allergy as based on provocation tests and laboratory diagnostic assays

Due to the scale of the phenomenon, food allergy constitute a significant health problem and significantly impair the quality of life of patients. Differential diagnostics, including skin tests, sIgE detection tests, basophil and mast cell activation tests as well as double-blind placebo-controlled food challenge tests, is the gold standard in the diagnosis of food allergy. Recently, increasing attention has been paid to the potential use of nasal provocation test in the diagnosis of food allergy. Allergen dose, protocol standardization, assessment of subjective complaints and objectivization of test results are important factors determining the applicability of provocation tests.
Detectability and Volumetric Accuracy of Pulmonary Nodules in Low-Dose Photon-Counting Detector Computed Tomography: An Anthropomorphic Phantom Study

The aim of this phantom study was to assess the detectability and volumetric accuracy of pulmonary nodules on photon-counting detector CT (PCD-CT) at different low-dose levels compared to conventional energy-integrating detector CT (EID-CT). In-house fabricated artificial nodules of different shapes (spherical, lobulated, spiculated), sizes (2.5–10 mm and 5–1222 mm3), and densities (−330 HU and 100 HU) were randomly inserted into an anthropomorphic thorax phantom. The phantom was scanned with a low-dose chest protocol with PCD-CT and EID-CT, in which the dose with PCD-CT was lowered from 100% to 10% with respect to the EID-CT reference dose. Two blinded observers independently assessed the CT examinations of the nodules. A third observer measured the nodule volumes using commercial software. The influence of the scanner type, dose, observer, physical nodule volume, shape, and density on the detectability and volumetric accuracy was assessed by a multivariable regression analysis. In 120 CT examinations, 642 nodules were present. Observer 1 and 2 detected 367 (57%) and 289 nodules (45%), respectively. With PCD-CT and EID-CT, the nodule detectability was similar. The physical nodule volumes were underestimated by 20% (range 8–52%) with PCD-CT and 24% (range 9–52%) with EID-CT. With PCD-CT, no significant decrease in the detectability and volumetric accuracy was found at dose reductions down to 10% of the reference dose (p > 0.05). The detectability and volumetric accuracy were significantly influenced by the observer, nodule volume, and a spiculated nodule shape (p < 0.05), but not by dose, CT scanner type, and nodule density (p > 0.05). Low-dose PCD-CT demonstrates potential to detect and assess the volumes of pulmonary nodules, even with a radiation dose reduction of up to 90%.
Spatial variations in the chlorophyll‐specific absorption coefficients of phytoplankton and photosynthetically active pigments in the equatorial Pacific

Chlorophyll-specific absorption coefficients of particles, a*p(λ), and of phytoplankton, a*ph(λ), were determined using the glass-fiber filter technique along 150°W in the equatorial Pacific (13°S–1°N). A site-specific algorithm for correcting the path length amplification effect was derived from field measurements. Then a decomposition technique using the high-performance liquid chromatography pigment information and taking into account the package effect was used to partition a*ph into the contributions of photosynthetic pigments (a*ps) and nonphotosynthetic pigments (a*nps). Both a*ph and a*nps values were observed to decrease from the oligotrophic waters of the subequatorial area (13°–1°S) to the mesotrophic waters of the equatorial area (1°S-1°N) and from the surface to deep waters. The a*ph variations were primarily, but not exclusively, caused by changes in the concentrations of nonphotosynthetic pigments. The level of pigment packaging was also variable both horizontally and vertically, as a result of changes in populations and photoacclimation. In comparison with a*ph, a*ps exhibited a reduced range of variation with depth and along the latitudinal gradient. The variations in a*ps originating from the package effect were partly compensated by variations in the concentrations of photosynthetic pigments. We extended this analysis to include data collected in other areas with different trophic states. The a*ps values varied over a factor of 4 at 440 nm, instead of 8 for a*ph, for chlorophyll a concentrations covering 2 orders of magnitude (0.02–2 mg m−3). In agreement with a previous study performed off California with a different method [Sosik and Mitchell, 1995], we conclude that a*ps is less dependent on environmental parameters than a*ph. In addition, our results provide evidence that the variability in a*ps cannot be neglected. The use of a*ps instead of a*ph in light-photosynthesis models (in conjunction with a quantum yield for carbon fixation defined with respect to the photosynthetically active absorbed amount of quanta) presents the advantage of removing the variability associated with nonphotosynthetic pigments.
Hydrogeological interactions between fault zones and alluvial aquifers in regional flow systems

The hydrological influence of fault zones in tectonic areas is usually difficult to depict from field data. Numerical simulation allows representation of such flow systems and an estimation of flow lines and rates. This paper reports on simulations of the groundwater flow in a range‐and‐basin area affected by a regional fault zone, which may drain or recharge an overlaying alluvial aquifer. Different hydraulic conductivity values for the range rocks, the fault‐zone, and the sedimentary infill of the basin are considered, as well as different fault‐zone widths and boundary conditions. Results show that upward and downward fluxes develop in the upper part of the fault zone, controlled by the action of the alluvial aquifer, influencing the recharge of the sedimentary basin. This paper shows the hydrological efficiency of fault zones as preferential flow; it also analyses the constraints that determine groundwater recharge to the surrounding basins. These results contribute to the understanding of hydrogeological dynamics in tectonic areas. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Anatomical variations of the circle of Willis and cerebrovascular accidents in transitional Albania

Aim: The purpose of this study was twofold: i) in a case-control design, to determine the relationship between anatomical variations of the circle of Willis and cerebrovascular accidents; ii) to assess the association between anatomical variations of the circle of Willis and aneurisms among patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage. Methods: A case-control study was conducted in Albania in 2013-2014, including 100 patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage and 100 controls (individuals without cerebrovascular accidents). Patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage underwent a CT angiography procedure, whereas individuals in the control group underwent a magnetic resonance angiography procedure. Binary logistic regression was used to assess the association between cerebrovascular accidents and the anatomical variations of the circle of Willis. Conversely, Fisher’s exact test was used to compare the prevalence of aneurisms between subarachnoid hemorrhage patients with and without anatomical variations of the circle of Willis. Results: Among patients, there were 22 (22%) cases with anatomical variations of the circle of Willis compared with 10 (10%) individuals in the control group (P=0.033). There was no evidence of a statistically significant difference in the types of the anatomical variations of the circle of Willis between patients and controls (P=0.402). In age- and-sex adjusted logistic regression models, there was evidence of a significant positive association between cerebrovascular accidents and the anatomical variations of the circle of Willis (OR=1.87, 95%CI=1.03-4.68, P=0.048). Within the patients’ group, of the 52 cases with aneurisms, there were 22 (42.3%) individuals with anatomical variations of the circle of Willis compared with no individuals with anatomical variations among the 48 patients without aneurisms (P<0.001). Conclusion: This study provides useful evidence on the association between anatomical variations of the circle of Willis and cerebrovascular accidents in transitional Albania. Furthermore, findings from this study confirm the role of the anatomical variations of the circle of Willis in the occurrence of cerebral aneurisms.
The Future of American Jails: A National Survey of Jail Leaders’ Ideals

Despite their significance in criminal legal processing, American jails have a reputation for physical and operational deficiencies, with few aspirations beyond mere custody. To examine the possibilities for United States (U.S.) jails’ progress, we assess the priorities of U.S. jail leaders, their expectations about achieving reforms, and perceived obstacles regarding change. Our analysis showed that while jail command staff embrace custody, they also endorse social service functions of jails, favor facilities that are safe and clean, support a professional workforce, accept other progressive features of jails, and reject punishment and brutality. They recognize impediments to progress, but are optimistic about potential improvements.