Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Brief Mindfulness Meditation Induces Gray Matter Changes in a Brain Hub

Previous studies suggest that the practice of long-term (months to years) mindfulness meditation induces structural plasticity in gray matter. However, it remains unknown whether short-term (<30 days) mindfulness meditation in novices could induce similar structural changes. Our previous randomized controlled trials (RCTs) identified white matter changes surrounding the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and the posterior cingulate cortex (PCC) within 2 to 4 weeks, following 5-10 h of mindfulness training. Furthermore, these changes were correlated with emotional states in healthy adults. The PCC is a key hub in the functional anatomy implicated in meditation and other perspectival processes. In this longitudinal study using a randomized design, we therefore examined the effect of a 10 h of mindfulness training, the Integrative Body-Mind Training (IBMT) on gray matter volume of the PCC compared to an active control—relaxation training (RT). We found that brief IBMT increased ventral PCC volume and that baseline temperamental trait—an index of individual differences was associated with a reduction in training-induced gray matter increases. Our findings indicate that brief mindfulness meditation induces gray matter plasticity, suggesting that structural changes in ventral PCC—a key hub associated with self-awareness, emotion, cognition, and aging—may have important implications for protecting against mood-related disorders and aging-related cognitive declines.
Organic amendments affect δ13C signature of soil respiration and soil organic C accumulation in a long‐term field experiment in Sweden

The contribution of young and old soil organic carbon (SOC) pools to soil CO2 fluxes and specific respiration rates of these fluxes was determined by using δ13C signatures in the Ultuna long‐term continuous soil organic matter experiment (C‐SOME). Initiated in 1956, the experiment had a range of treatments amended organically and with mineral nitrogen fertilizer under C3 cultivation until 1999, and thereafter under C4 (maize) cultivation. In 2011, soil respiration was measured in situ prior to planting, during growth and after harvest. The contributions from C4‐ and C3‐C as well as their specific respiration rates were estimated from δ13C differences in SOC and CO2 fluxes. The contributions from C4‐C sources were further separated into autotrophic and heterotrophic respiration by comparing respiration rates before and after harvest. Between 165 and 385 g C4‐C m−2 accumulated during 10 years of maize growth, contributing between 4.9 and 8.1% to the total SOC stock. Although recent C4‐C had an average specific respiration rate that was 8.4–22.6 times greater than C3‐C, total soil respiration was generally equally split between C3‐C and C4‐C. Both pools are therefore important sources of CO2 in the overall C budget, and a crucial factor in accounting for SOC stock change caused by management. Experimental treatments influenced specific respiration rates of C4 plant material and accumulation of SOC stock, demonstrating how greater SOC accumulation can be favoured by high‐quality C inputs.
Theoretical and experimental study of novel integrated magnetoplasmonic nanostructures

Ce travail porte sur l’exaltation de l’effet magneto-optique (MO) Kerr transverse induite par des «resonances extraordinaires» dans un reseau d’or periodique 1D depose sur un oxyde de grenat magneto-optique. La structure complete incluant le reseau metallique 1D a ete concue, simulee numeriquement, dimensionnee, fabriquee puis caracterisee. Un algorithme de type RCWA (Rigorous Coupled Wave Algorithm) adapte au calcul parallele a ete developpe et utilise d’une part pour l’etude theorique des modes resonants dans les reseaux magnetoplasmoniques et d’autre part pour l’analyse des donnees de mesures optiques et magneto-optiques d’ellipsometrie a base de matrices de Mueller. L’impact sur la reflectivite angulo-spectrale du couplage entre les modes Fabry-Perot des fentes du reseau et les plasmons de surface a l’interface entre l’or et la couche de grenat MO est ainsi etudie, en utilisant les parametres optiques et magneto-optiques reels des materiaux. Pour cela, les caracteristiques optiques du substrat en sGGG (grenat de gallium et gadolinium dope CaMgZr) et du materiau Bi:GIG (grenat de fer et de gadolinium substitue bismuth) sont au prealable determines dans la gamme spectrale 0,73 – 6,42 eV (193 nm-1,7 μm) par ellipsometrie a base de matrices de Mueller. Puis de meme la dispersion des composantes magneto-optiques du tenseur dielectrique est obtenue en appliquant un champ magnetique externe dans le plan, en configuration longitudinale ou transverse. Ces donnees mesurees sont alors utilisees dans les simulations. Il est ainsi demontre numeriquement que grâce a l’interaction des resonances de surface et de cavite dans le reseau 1D l’effet Kerr transverse peut etre exalte, eteint ou meme de signe inverse, et cela sans renverser ou modifier l’aimantation de la couche magneto-optique. Pour confirmer les resultats theoriques, une serie d’echantillons comportant des reseaux de fentes differentes a ete fabriquee par lithographie electronique et procede de lift-off. Afin de reproduire les donnees des matrices de Mueller mesurees, les modeles ont ete adaptes et optimises pour tenir compte des imperfections des structures reelles. Les mesures experimentales confirment l’exaltation de l’effet Kerr magneto-optique transverse due aux effets magneto-plasmoniques et prouvent la validite des modeles.
FT‐IR measurements of petroleum fluid inclusions: methane, n‐alkanes and carbon dioxide quantitative analysis

A recent advancement in petroleum geochemistry is to model fossil oil composition using microthermometric and volumetric data acquired from individual fluid inclusion analysis. Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) microspectroscopy can record compositional information related to gas (CH4 and CO2) and alkane contents of petroleum inclusions. In this study, a quantitative procedure for FT-IR microspectrometry has been developed to obtain, from individual fluid inclusions, mol percentage concentrations of methane, alkanes and carbon dioxide as constraints to thermodynamic modelling. A petroleum inclusion in a sample from the Quebec City Promontory nappe area was used as standard to record a reference spectrum of methane. The analytical procedure is based on the measurement of CH4/alkane and CH4/CO2 band area ratios. CH4/alkane infrared band area ratio is obtained after spectral subtraction of the reference methane spectrum. This area ratio, affected by absolute absorption intensities of methane, methyl and methylene, provides a molar CH4/alkane ratio. Methyl/methylene ratio (CH2/CH3) ratio is obtained following procedures established in previous work. CO2/CH4 concentration ratio is estimated from relative absolute absorption intensities. Application to natural inclusions from different environments shows good correlation between FT-IR quantification and PIT (petroleum inclusion thermodynamic) modelling.
MRI Contrast Agent Studies of CompartmentalDifferentiation, Dose-Dependence, and TumorCharacterization in the Brain: A Dissertation

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has increasingly become the preferred imaging modality in modern day research to study disease. MRI presents an imaging technique that is practically non-invasive and without any ionizing radiation. This dissertation presents the use of contrast agents in MRI studies to differentiate compartments, to study dose dependence of relaxation times, and to characterize tumors using signal amplifying enzymes in the brain. Differentiating compartments in the brain can be useful in diffusion studies to detect stroke at an early stage. Diffusion-weighted NMR techniques have established that the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) of cerebral tissue water decreases during ischemia. However, it is unclear whether the ADC change occurs due to changes in the intracellular (IC) space, extracellular (EC) space, or both. To better understand the mechanism of water ADC changes in response to ischemic injury, making IC and EC compartment specific measurements of water diffusion is essential. The first study was done where manganese (Mn 2+ ) was used as an IC contrast agent. Mn 2+ uptake by cells causes shortening of the T 1 relaxation time of IC water. The relative difference in T 1 relaxation times between the IC and EC compartments can be used to discriminate between the MR signals arising from water in the respective compartments. Mn 2+ is also widely used in manganese-enhanced MRI (MEMRI) studies to visualize functional neural tracts and anatomy in the brain in vivo . In animal studies, the goal is to use a dose of Mn 2+ that will maximize the contrast while minimizing its toxic effects. The goal of dose study was to investigate the MRI dose response of Mn 2+ in rat brain following SC administration of Mn 2+ . The dose dependence and temporal dynamics of Mn 2+ after SC injection can prove useful for longitudinal in vivo studies that require brain enhancement to persist for a long period of time to visualize neuroarchitecture like in neurodegenerative disease studies. Contrast agents, in addition to their use in compartmental differentiation and dose studies, can be used for imaging tumors. The last study in this dissertation focuses on imaging EGF receptors in brain tumors. We tested a novel pretargeting imaging approach that includes the administration of humanized monoclonal antibody (anti-EGFR mAb, EMD72000) linked to enzymes with complementing activities that use a low-molecular weight paramagnetic molecule (diTyr-GdDTPA) as a reducing substrate administered following the mAb conjugates. We analyzed the differential MR tumor signal decay in vivo using orthotopic models of human glioma. The patterns of MR signal change following substrate administration revealed differences in elimination patterns that allowed distinguishing between non-specific and specific modes of MR signal decay.
CHARACTERIZATION OF CALCIUM CHANNEL RECEPTORS IN THE HEART AND BRAIN (DIHYDROPYRIDINE, NIFEDIPINE, NITRENDIPINE).

Recently, [3H]nitrendipine ([3H]NTD), a substituted 1,4dihydropyridine calcium channel antagonist, has been used to label ~ vitro dihydropyridine calcium channel receptor sites in cardiac and smooth muscle, in the brain, and in other peripheral tissues. We have demonstrated the ~ vivo labeling of [3H]NTD to brain and peripheral tissues. This specific binding is decreased in a dose dependent manner by pretreatment with increasing doses of nifedipine. Thin layer chromatography demonstrates that the bound tritium species is predominantly the unmetabolized, parent [3H]NTD for the cerebral cortex and the left ventricle, whereas in the liver, the main species are metabolites of NTD. The regional distribution of [3H]NTD specific binding parallels that of ~ vitro studies. Notable exceptions include the aorta, skeletal muscle, and the ileum. The complex hemodynamic effects of NTD may explain differences noted in these ~ vivo studies as compared to in vitro studies. A highly sensitive assay for dihydropyridine receptors in cerebral cortical and cardiac homogenates using [3H](+)PN 200-110 ([3H]PN), is described. [3H]PN shows 10-12 fold higher affinity for its binding site than [3H]NTD at physiologic temperatures, and exhibits lower nonspecific binding. D-cis diltiazem and verapamil interact with [3H]PN in an allosteric manner. D-cis diltiazem and
Basolateral Amygdala but Not Medial Prefrontal Cortex Contributes to Chronic Fluoxetine Treatments for PTSD Symptoms in Mice

Do chronic fluoxetine treatments reduced footshock-induced posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, including fear and comorbid depression, in the situational reminder phase? Moreover, are the subareas of the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), including the cingulate cortex 1 (Cg1), prelimbic cortex (PrL), infralimbic cortex (IL), and basolateral amygdala (BLA), involved in the fluoxetine amelioration of PTSD symptoms? These two crucial issues were addressed in the present study. All mice were injected with chronic fluoxetine or normal saline treatments for the adaptation (14 days), footshock fear conditioning (1 day), and situational reminder (3 days) phases. After adaptation, the mice were subjected to footshock (2 mA, 10 seconds) or nonfootshock and stayed 2 min in a footshock box for 2 min for fear conditioning. Later, they were placed in the footshock box for 2 min in the situational reminder phase. In the final session of the situational reminder phase, a forced swimming test (FST) and immunohistochemical staining were conducted. The results indicated that footshock induced fear and comorbid depression. Meanwhile, chronic fluoxetine treatments reduced fear and depression behaviors. The Cg1, PrL, IL, and BLA were seemingly to increase c-Fos expression after footshock-induced PTSD symptoms in the situational reminder phase. The fluoxetine treatments reduced only the BLA's c-Fos expression. The findings suggest that BLA contributes to the fluoxetine amelioration of PTSD symptoms; however, the mPFC, including the Cg1, PrL, and IL, did not mediate PTSD symptoms' amelioration stemming from fluoxetine. The present data might help us to further understand the neural mechanism of fluoxetine treatments in PTSD symptoms.
Modular Microporous Minerals: Cancrinite-Davyne Group and C-S-H Phases

In this chapter, we illustrate and discuss two distinct groups of microporous phases: the cancrinite group and the C-S-H compounds of the tobermorite and gyrolite families. The compounds in the first group present a three-dimensional purely tetrahedral framework with, apart from a single exception, Si:Al ratio equal to 1; in the mineralogical classifications they are included among feldspathoids and are generally “regarded …… distinct from zeolites, in part, at least, because of the presence of large volatile anions” (Coombs et al. 1998). The members of the second group are characterized by mixed frameworks built up by silicon (and aluminum) tetrahedra and calcium polyhedra. A common feature of both groups is the modular character of their frameworks, which are built up through various stacking ways of a single module (as in the minerals of the cancrinite-davyne family) and two or more modules as in the case of the C-S-H phases. ### Structural aspects The minerals belonging to the cancrinite group (Merlino 1984; Deer et al. 2004) are feldspathoids with a Si:Al ratio equal to 1, with the only exception of cancrisilite, which has Si:Al = 7:5 (Khomyakov et al. 1991a,b). The available structural data for the phases with Si: Al = 1 indicate that silicon and aluminum regularly alternate in the tetrahedral sites, in accordance with the Loewenstein rule. The structural cavities host alkaline and earth-alkaline cations, and a wide variety of extra-framework anions, as well as H2O molecules. Their framework is characterized by layers containing six-membered rings of tetrahedra (Fig. 1⇓). Every ring is linked to three similar rings in the preceding layer and to three rings in the succeeding one. If the position of the rings in the first layer is called “A,” and the two possible alternative positions in the adjacent layers are “B” and …
High performance power VDMOSFETs with a split-gate floating np-well design

Low gate charge power vertical double-diffused MOSFET devices are required for high-frequency systems. In this study, we proposed a split-gate with a floating np-well structure, which realizes a low gate charge performance without significantly degrading the breakdown voltage. The proposed structure removes the partial gate area between the gate and drain overlap area, and combines with an additional np-well. By this approach, the gate charge and switching loss can be reduced, and the breakdown voltage can be sustained. The gate–drain charge and gate charge of the split-gate with an np-well structure are 41.4% and 66.1% of the conventional device, respectively. These improvements are beneficial for reducing the switching loss of the devices.
Study of the Chemical Composition of the Resinous Exudate Isolated from Psoralea glandulosa and Evaluation of the Antioxidant Properties of the Terpenoids and the Resin

Otholobium glandulosum (L.) J.W. Grimes (= Psoralea glandulosa L.) (Fabaceae) is a resinous bush that grows in Chile. The chemical composition of its resinous exudate was determined for the first time. Three meroterpenic: bakuchiol (8), 3-hydroxybakuchiol (11), 12-hydroxyisobakuchiol (12) and a new compound kuchiol (13) were isolated and their structures were determined. The antioxidant activity of the terpenic compounds and resin was evaluated using the bleaching of DPPH radical, Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP) and Total Reactive Antioxidant Properties (TRAP) assays.
Ring-Opening Polymerization of Lactides Initiated by Zinc Alkoxides Derived from NNO-Tridentate Ligands

A new series of dinuclear zinc complexes of the types [LZnEt]2 and [LZn(μ-OBn)]2 (where L = NNO-tridentate Schiff base ligand) have been prepared. The activities of zinc alkoxides, [LZn(μ-OBn)]2, toward the ring-opening polymerization of l-lactide have been investigated. Experimental results indicate that the reactivity of [LZn(μ-OBn)]2 was dramatically affected by both the electronic and steric effect of the substituents on the Schiff base. The polymerization kinetics using [L1Zn(μ-OBn)]2 (2a) as an initiator were also studied, and the experimental results reveal that the rate of reaction is first-order, which depends on both [LA] and [L1Zn(μ-OBn)]2. Furthermore, the heterotactic PLA with Pr up to 91% can be achieved by initiating of [L5Zn(μ-OBn)]2 in CH2Cl2 at −55 °C.
Acupuncture for Adults with Diarrhea-Predominant Irritable Bowel Syndrome or Functional Diarrhea: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Objective. To evaluate the clinical effectiveness and safety of acupuncture therapy in the treatment of diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D) or functional diarrhea (FD) in adults. Method. Five electronic databases—PubMed, EMBASE, CNKI, VIP, and Wanfang—were searched, respectively, until June 8, 2020. The literature of clinical randomized controlled trials of acupuncture for the treatment of IBS-D or FD in adults were collected. Meta-analysis was conducted by Using Stata 16.0 software, the quality of the included studies was assessed by the RevMan ROB summary and graph, and the results were graded by GRADE. Result. Thirty-one studies with 3234 patients were included. Most of the studies were evaluated as low risk of bias related to selection bias, attrition bias, and reporting bias. Nevertheless, seven studies showed the high risk of bias due to incomplete outcome data. GRADE's assessments were either moderate certainty or low certainty. Compared with loperamide, acupuncture showed more effectiveness in weekly defecation (SMD = −0.29, 95% CI [-0.49, -0.08]), but no significant improvement in the result of the Bristol stool form (SMD = −0.28, 95% CI [-0.68, 0.12]). In terms of the drop-off rate, although the acupuncture group was higher than the bacillus licheniformis plus beanxit group (RR = 2.57, 95% CI [0.24, 27.65]), loperamide group (RR = 1.11, 95% CI [0.57, 2.15]), and trimebutine maleate group (RR = 1.19, 95% CI [0.31, 4.53]), respectively, it was lower than the dicetel group (RR = 0.83, 95% CI [0.56, 1.23]) and affected the overall trend (RR = 0.93, 95% CI [0.67, 1.29]). Besides, acupuncture produced more significant effect than dicetel related to the total symptom score (SMD = −1.17, 95% CI [-1.42, -0.93]), IBS quality of life (SMD = 2.37, 95% CI [1.94, 2.80]), recurrence rate (RR = 0.43, 95% CI [0.28, 0.66]), and IBS Symptom Severity Scale (SMD = −0.75, 95% CI [-1.04, -0.47]). Compared to dicetel (RR = 1.25, 95% CI [1.18, 1.32]) and trimebutine maleate (RR = 1.35, 95% CI [1.13, 1.61]), acupuncture also showed more effective at total efficiency. The more adverse effect occurred in the acupuncture group when comparing with the dicetel group (RR = 11.86, 95% CI [1.58, 89.07]) and loperamide group (RR = 4.42, 95% CI [0.57, 33.97]), but most of the adverse reactions were mild hypodermic hemorrhage. Conclusion. Acupuncture treatment can improve the clinical effectiveness of IBS-D or FD, with great safety, but the above conclusions need to be further verified through the higher quality of evidence.
Adsorption of Normal-Alkanes on Fe(110), FeO(110), and Fe2O3(0001): Influence of Iron Oxide Surfaces

A comparative analysis of adsorption of six normal-alkanes (CNH2N+2, N = 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 16) on Fe(110), FeO(110), and Fe2O3(0001) was carried out using classical molecular dynamics (MD) simulation. A realistic model system for adsorbed alkanes was employed using the COMPASS force field (FF), while the appropriate relaxed surfaces and an effective interfacial potential were obtained from ab initio calculations. The results show that butane molecules orient randomly on Fe(110) and Fe2O3(0001) surfaces, but they preferentially orient in the (010) direction on FeO(110) at low temperature. Additionally, alkanes adsorb physically on Fe(110), FeO(110), and Fe2O3(0001), in the following decreasing order Fe(110) > FeO(110) > Fe2O3(0001). The adsorption energies per saturated carbon site decrease with an increase of molecular chain length, and this propensity is similar for different surface potentials. In contrast, the saturated carbon density is insensitive to the surface potentials and shows an increasing tren.
Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Augmentation Therapy Improves Survival in Severely Deficient Patients with Predicted FEV1 Between 10% and 60%: A Retrospective Analysis of the NHLBI Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency Registry

Purpose The extent of the survival benefit of augmentation therapy for alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD) in individuals with advanced COPD is difficult to define. We performed a retrospective analysis using all available data from the observational registry of individuals with severe deficiency of alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) conducted by the NHLBI investigators. Patients and Methods Individuals (N=1129) with severe deficiency of AAT were evaluated for mortality using all data sources and stratified by 10% increments of baseline forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) percent predicted and by augmentation therapy status (ever receiving versus never receiving). Kaplan–Meier survival curves were constructed for each of the deciles comparing survival in treated vs non-treated groups. A multivariable model was performed to define the correlates of survival in individuals with FEV1 <30% predicted. Results Amongst all subjects, augmentation was associated with improved survival (p<0.0001). Among the individuals ever receiving augmentation therapy, survival was better than for those not receiving augmentation at all 10% increments of FEV1% predicted from 10% to 60% (P values <0.05 in all deciles). In subgroups of participants with hyperinflation defined as residual volume (RV)>120% predicted and in subgroups of participants with reduced diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO) <70% predicted, there was significantly better survival for those ever receiving augmentation therapy than for those who never received augmentation (p<0.001). A multivariable analysis showed that mortality benefit is influenced by age, DLCO % predicted, and augmentation therapy. Conclusion There is a survival benefit from augmentation therapy in AATD between FEV1 values in the 10–60% predicted range. Screening and treatment of AATD patients should therefore not be limited by the severity of illness as defined by FEV1.