Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Ozone and life on the Archaean Earth

The trace gas ozone, produced in the present-day stratosphere, acts as a screen for UV radiation between 195 and approximately 290 nm, depending on its column abundance. On the anoxic Archaean Earth, such an ozone screen would not have existed. Although the presence of other screens, such as an organic haze, might have ameliorated the UV radiation flux, even assuming the worst-case scenario (no UV screen), it can be shown that early land masses and the photic zone of the oceans could have been colonized, suggesting that: (i) high UV radiation would not have prevented the colonization of land and (ii) it is unlikely that the fossil record can be used to constrain estimates of the UV radiation environment of the early Earth (although geochemical approaches and the study of extrasolar planetary atmospheres are likely to provide empirical constraints on the early photobiological environment).
Association between shift work and severity of depressive symptoms among female nurses: the Korea Nurses' Health Study.

AIM To determine the prevalence of depression and the relationship between shift work and depression severity among female nurses in South Korea. BACKGROUND Shift work has been associated with higher risks of depressive symptoms, but there is a dearth of research on nurses, particularly investigating the severity of depressive symptoms. METHODS Quantitative data including survey response from 9789 participants were analysed. Statistical analysis included descriptive, Spearman's correlation and multivariable ordinal logistic regression. RESULTS The numbers of nurses according to the severity of depressive symptoms were 35.2% (n = 3445), 38.0% (n = 3716), 16.1% (n = 1578), 7.6% (n = 747) and 3.1% (n = 303) for normal, mild, moderate, severely moderate and severe level of depressive symptoms, respectively. After adjusting for sociodemographic and health behavioural factors, nurses who worked shifts had 1.519-times greater odds of experiencing a higher severity of depressive symptoms (OR = 1.519, CI = 1.380-1.674, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION This study shows a higher prevalence of depressive symptoms among nurses who worked shifts and suggests that shift work may increase the severity of depressive symptoms among female nurses in South Korea. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT Nursing professionals, managers and health policy makers need to understand the factors influencing depressive symptoms and to use appropriate interventions based on the severity and not just the onset.
Health and Quality of Life Outcomes Health related quality of life trajectories and predictors following coronary artery bypass surgery

Background: Many studies have demonstrated that health related quality of life (HRQoL) improves, on average, after coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABGS). However, this average improvement may not be realized for all patients, and it is possible that there are two or more distinctive groups with different, possibly non-linear, trajectories of change over time. Furthermore, little is known about the predictors that are associated with these possible HRQoL trajectories after CABGS. Methods: 182 patients listed for elective CABGS at The Royal Melbourne Hospital completed a postal battery of questionnaires which included the Short-Form-36 (SF-36), Profile of Mood States (POMS) and the Everyday Functioning Questionnaire (EFQ). These data were collected on average a month before surgery, and at two months and six months after surgery. Socio-demographic and medical characteristics prior to surgery, as well as surgical and post-surgical complications and symptoms were also assessed. Growth curve and growth mixture modelling were used to identify trajectories of HRQoL. Results: For both the physical component summary scale (PCS) and the mental component summary scale (MCS) of the SF-36, two groups of patients with distinct trajectories of HRQoL following surgery could be identified ( improvers and non-improvers ). A series of logistic regression analyses identified different predictors of group membership for PCS and MCS trajectories. For the PCS the most significant predictors of non - improver membership were lower scores on POMS vigor-activity and higher New York Heart Association dyspnoea class; for the MCS the most significant predictors of non - improver membership were higher scores on POMS depression-dejection and manual occupation. Conclusion: It is incorrect to assume that HRQoL will improve in a linear fashion for all patients following CABGS. Nor was there support for a single response trajectory. It is important to identify characteristics of each patient, and those post-operative symptoms that could be possible targets for intervention to improve HRQoL outcomes.
How robust is performance on the National Adult Reading Test following traumatic brain injury?

OBJECTIVE To investigate whether National Adult Reading Test (NART) performance may be impaired by severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). METHOD A sample of 26 people who had been given a NART within 12 months of a severe TBI was given a second NART at least 12 months after the first NART. RESULTS Mean performance on the second NART was significantly better than performance on the first NART. Of the participants, 11 (42%) showed an improvement of more than 5 IQ points in respect of the verbal IQ estimates based on their NART scores, with three participants showing an improvement of 20 points. In applying the NART to determine the presence of an acquired intellectual impairment, use of the first NART scores alone would have resulted in such impairments being missed in at least 25% of a subsample of 16 participants for whom an actual verbal IQ had been obtained at the time of the first NART. CONCLUSION An NART given within 12 months of a severe TBI runs the risk of significantly underestimating pre-morbid IQ. If applied in this context, it is recommended that the NART score is used in conjunction with other methods of estimation, such as those based on demographic data.
Detecting and Exploiting Subproblem Tractability

Constraint satisfaction problems may be nearly tractable. For instance, most of the relations in a problem might belong to a tractable language. We introduce a method to take advantage of this fact by computing a backdoor to this tractable language. The method can be applied to many tractable classes for which the membership test is itself tractable. We introduce therefore two polynomial membership testing algorithms, to check if a language is closed under a majority or conservative Mal'tsev polymorphism, respectively. Then we show that computing a minimal backdoor for such classes is fixed parameter tractable (FPT) if the tractable subset of relations is given, and W[2]- complete otherwise. Finally, we report experimental results on the XCSP benchmark set. We identified a few promising problem classes where problems were nearly closed under a majority polymorphism and small backdoors could be computed.
Representations of higher rank graph algebras

Let F + be a k-graph on a single vertex. We show that every irreducible atomic ∗-representation is the minimal ∗-dilation of a group construction representation. It follows that every atomic representation decomposes as a direct sum or integral of such representations. We characterize periodicity of F + and identify a symmetry subgroup Hθ of Z k . If this has rank s ,t henC ∗ (F + ) ∼ C(T s ) ⊗ A for some simple C*-algebra A.
The Parkinson's disease genes pink1 and parkin promote mitochondrial fission and/or inhibit fusion in Drosophila

Mutations in PTEN-induced kinase 1 (pink1) or parkin cause autosomal-recessive and some sporadic forms of Parkinson's disease. pink1 acts upstream of parkin in a common genetic pathway to regulate mitochondrial integrity in Drosophila. Mitochondrial morphology is maintained by a dynamic balance between the opposing actions of mitochondrial fusion, controlled by Mitofusin (mfn) and Optic atrophy 1 (opa1), and mitochondrial fission, controlled by drp1. Here, we explore interactions between pink1/parkin and the mitochondrial fusion/fission machinery. Muscle-specific knockdown of the fly homologue of Mfn (Marf) or opa1, or overexpression of drp1, results in significant mitochondrial fragmentation. Mfn-knockdown flies also display altered cristae morphology. Interestingly, knockdown of Mfn or opa1 or overexpression of drp1, rescues the phenotypes of muscle degeneration, cell death, and mitochondrial abnormalities in pink1 or parkin mutants. In the male germline, we also observe genetic interactions between pink1 and the testes-specific mfn homologue fuzzy onion, and between pink1 and drp1. Our data suggest that the pink1/parkin pathway promotes mitochondrial fission and/or inhibits fusion by negatively regulating mfn and opa1 function, and/or positively regulating drp1. However, pink1 and parkin mutant flies show distinct mitochondrial phenotypes from drp1 mutant flies, and flies carrying a heterozygous mutation in drp1 enhance the pink1-null phenotype, resulting in lethality. These results suggest that pink1 and parkin are likely not core components of the drp1-mediated mitochondrial fission machinery. Modification of fusion and fission may represent a novel therapeutic strategy for Parkinson's disease.
The nature of imagery processes underlying food cravings.

OBJECTIVE The study used a working memory approach to examine the nature of the imagery processes underlying food cravings. DESIGN AND METHOD A sample of 60 dieters and 60 non-dieters were asked to imagine either a food induction or a holiday induction scenario. Participants then performed 18 trials of either a visual imagery task (loading the visuo-spatial sketch pad) or auditory imagery task (loading the phonological loop). Food craving was measured before and after the induction scenario, and then after every 6 trials of the imagery task. RESULTS Craving intensity increased following instructions to imagine the food (but not holiday) induction scenario, especially for dieters. As predicted, the visual imagery task was superior to the auditory imagery task in reducing the level of food craving. DISCUSSION The results confirmed the imaginal basis of food cravings. Specifically, they demonstrated that the imagery processes involved in food cravings are predominantly visual in nature. Hence concurrent tasks that load the visuospatial sketch pad of working memory can be used to reduce food cravings. The findings have potential application in the treatment of craving episodes in clinical populations.
Donate to help us fight back: Political fundraising and toxic rhetoric online

Political candidates utilize social media to mobilize supporters, persuade voters, and raise money. However, little is known about the structure of mass electoral appeals when donors are the primary target instead of voters. Because candidates’ donors and voters can differ significantly, with donors more partisan and ideologically extreme on average, we theorize that candidates use strategic rhetoric tailored to specific audiences. To analyze how campaigns perceive and target their “financial electorate,” we leverage data from the Facebook Ad Library for 2020 U.S. congressional candidates and distinguish political ads by their persuasion targets. Using text analysis, we test the hypotheses that donor-targeting messages are more toxic, negative, and likely to reference a polarizing president than voter-targeting messages. The results support our hypotheses, and Republican candidates, on average, used more toxic language than their Democratic counterparts. As campaigns’ scramble for donations intensifies, these characteristics of fundraising appeals may further polarize the electorate.
Detection and Root Cause Analysis of Memory-Related Software Aging Defects by Automated Tests

Memory-related software defects manifest after a long incubation time and are usually discovered in a production scenario. As a consequence, this frequently encountered class of so-called software aging problems incur severe follow-up costs, including performance and reliability degradation, need for workarounds (usually controlled restarts) and effort for localizing the causes. While many excellent tools for identifying memory leaks exist, they are inappropriate for automated leak detection or isolation as they require developer involvement or slow down execution considerably. In this work we propose a lightweight approach which allows for automated leak detection during the standardized unit or integration tests. The core idea is to compare at the byte-code level the memory allocation behavior of related development versions of the same software. We evaluate our approach by injecting memory leaks into the YARN component of the popular Hadoop framework and comparing the accuracy of detection and isolation in various scenarios. The results show that the approach can detect and isolate such defects with high precision, even if multiple leaks are injected at once.
Improvement of elementary science learning outcomes using guided experimentation method

This research aimed to increase students’ conceptual understanding of photosynthesis in science subject through the stages of initial experimentation, observation, hypothesis preparation, verification, and application of the concept in experimental methods. The researchers investigated how science learning on photosynthesis using experimental methods could improve student learning outcomes. This research employed a classroom action research as a type of research. The research design followed the Kemmis and Mc Taggart model that was composed of four stages in each cycle: planning, implementation, observation, and reflection. Data collection instruments included observation sheets, learning outcome tests, and documentation. The research began with the pre-cycle and followed by cycles I and II. The research findings showed that student learning outcomes could be improved through the use of experimental methods in photosynthesis and science subject. This was supported by an increase in percentage results from pre-cycle (18%), cycle I (56%), and cycle II (78%). Therefore, it could be concluded that the experimental method was able to improve the learning outcomes of grade IV students at SDN Gadang 1 Malang City in the science subject of photosynthesis.
Hemi-Nested PCR and RFLP Methodologies for Identifying Blood Meals of the Chagas Disease Vector, Triatoma infestans

Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiologic agent of Chagas disease, is transmitted by hematophagous reduviid bugs within the subfamily Triatominae. These vectors take blood meals from a wide range of hosts, and their feeding behaviors have been used to investigate the ecology and epidemiology of T. cruzi. In this study we describe two PCR-based methodologies that amplify a fragment of the 16S mitochondrial rDNA, aimed to improve the identification of blood meal sources for Triatoma infestans: a. - Sequence analyses of two heminested PCRs that allow the identification of mammalian and avian species, and b. - restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis from the mammalian PCR to identify and differentiate multi-host blood meals. Findings from both methodologies indicate that host DNA could be detected and the host species identified in samples from laboratory reared and field collected triatomines. The implications of this study are two-fold. First, these methods can be used in areas where the fauna diversity and feeding behavior of the triatomines are unknown. Secondly, the RFLP method led to the identification of multi-host DNA from T. infestans gut contents, enhancing the information provided by this assay. These tools are important contributions for ecological and epidemiological studies of vector-borne diseases.
Absolute Quantification of Selected microRNAs Expression in Endometrial Cancer by Digital PCR

MicroRNAs (miRNA) are involved in the process of carcinogenesis, including the development of endometrial cancer (EC). This study aimed to investigate the association between the expression of three miRNAs (miR-21-5p, miR-205-5p, and miR-222-3p) in endometrial cancer tissues. In addition, the stability of expression of SNORD48 and U6, which were initially planned to be used as reference miRNAs for normalization, was investigated. Endometrial tissue was obtained from 111 patients with EC during hysterectomy and from 19 patients undergoing surgery for uterine fibroids or pelvic organ prolapse as a control group without neoplastic changes. Our study was based on calculations made with a digital PCR method (Qiagen, Hilden, Germany) to measure the absolute expression. In the endometrial cancer tissue, miR-205-5p was upregulated, while miR-222-3p and SNORD48 were downregulated compared to the control group. We detected statistically significant correlation of miR-205-5p, U6, and SNORD48 expression with different histological grades; the expression of miR-205-5p increases with the histopathological grade advancement (intraepithelial neoplasia- EIN = 1590, G1 = 3367.2, G2 = 8067 and G3 = 20,360), while U6 and SNORD expression decreases from EIN to G2 and increases again in the G3 grade (U6: EIN = 19,032, G1 = 16,482.4, G2 = 13,642.4, G3 = 133,008; SNORD48: EIN = 97,088, G1 = 59,520, G2 = 43,544, G3 = 227,200). Our study suggests that upregulation of miR-205-5p and downregulation of miR-222-3p and SNORD48 may influence development of endometrial cancer. Moreover, miR-205-5p, U6, and SNORD48 expression changes may be associated with progression of endometrial cancer. The results also indicate that SNORD48 and U6, commonly used as internal references, may influence endometrial cancer development and progression; therefore, they should not be used as references. However, it is important to note that further research is required to understand their role in endometrial cancer.
A structural and functional acromegaly classification.

CONTEXT GH-secreting pituitary adenomas exhibit heterogeneous natural history ranging from small tumors to large aggressive adenomas. OBJECTIVE To rigorously classify an acromegaly patient cohort defined by clinical, radiological, histopathological, and outcome characteristics. DESIGN Cross-sectional study. SETTING Tertiary referral pituitary center. PATIENTS Subjects were selected from a pituitary tumor research registry that includes 1178 patients with pituitary disease. Cluster analysis was performed on 338 acromegaly patients. INTERVENTIONS None. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Biochemically active disease with elevated IGF-1 levels at follow-up. RESULTS Cluster analysis of all patients yielded 292 who were rigorously classified to three acromegaly types. Type 1 (50%) comprised older patients with the longest follow-up and most favorable outcomes, characterized by densely granulated, nonaggressive microadenomas and macroadenomas. Type 1 tumors extend to the sphenoid sinus more frequently than suprasellar extension (concave tumor image) and express abundant immunoreactive p21 and somatostatin receptor 2. Type 2 (19%) comprised noninvasive, densely or sparsely granulated macroadenomas, without significant extension (flat tumor image), with intermediate biochemical outcome. Type 3 (31%) was characterized by sparsely granulated aggressive macroadenomas and comprised patients with adverse therapeutic outcomes, despite receiving more treatments. These tumors extend to both the sphenoid sinus and suprasellar regions with commonly encountered optic chiasm compression ("peanut" magnetic resonance image), with low tumor p21 and somatostatin receptor 2 expression. CONCLUSIONS After validation, this classification may be useful to accurately identify acromegaly patients with distinctive patterns of disease aggressiveness and outcome, as well as to provide an accurate tool for selection criteria in clinical studies.
Induction of the RelB NF-κB Subunit by the Cytomegalovirus IE1 Protein Is Mediated via Jun Kinase and c-Jun/Fra-2 AP-1 Complexes

ABSTRACT We recently demonstrated that the cytomegalovirus (CMV) immediate-early 1 (IE1) protein induces transcription of the gene encoding the RelB NF-κB subunit. The mechanism of this activation has been explored here. We report that the induction of the relB promoter by IE1 protein is mediated via activation of JNK and AP-1. The region controlling relB promoter induction was mapped to the upstream ∼600-bp region between −1694 and −1096 bp. IE1 stimulated AP-1 activity in NIH 3T3 cells. Competition electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) confirmed the presence of one bona fide AP-1 element centered at −1503 bp. Introduction of a G-to-C mutation in the AP-1 binding site within the distal region of the relB promoter eliminated its activation by IE1 in both NIH 3T3 fibroblasts and vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs). Supershift EMSA identified c-Jun, Fra-2, and c-Fos in AP-1 binding complexes in IE1 transfected NIH 3T3 cells. IE1 induced c-Jun phosphorylation, and treatment with SP600125, a selective JNK inhibitor, as well as overexpression of JNK-binding domain of JIP1, blocked IE1-mediated induction of AP-1 and relB promoter activity in NIH 3T3 cells and SMCs. Ectopic expression of c-Jun plus Fra-2, but not c-Fos, induced relB promoter activity. The relB promoter has two proximal NF-κB elements, and c-Jun/Fra-2 worked in synergy with p50/p65 NF-κB complexes. Overall, these findings demonstrate for the first time the role of AP-1 in transcriptional regulation of a gene encoding an NF-κB subunit, and its involvement in induction of RelB activity by the CMV IE1 protein.
Leisure-Time Physical Activity Patterns in the U.S. Diabetic Population: Findings from the 1990 National Health Interview Survey—Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Supplement

OBJECTIVE Despite the scientific community's recognition of the importance of exercise, little is known about the epidemiology of exercise among persons with diabetes in the U.S. Our goals were to examine whether people with diabetes were more sedentary than people without diabetes, to examine the effect of activity limitations on the prevalence of exercise, and to examine whether the choice of activities differs among people with and without diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS We examined the 1990 Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Supplement of the National Health Interview Survey to describe leisure-time physical activity patterns in a representative sample of the U.S. population with diabetes. RESULTS People with diabetes were less likely to report exercising regularly than people without this disease (34.3 ± 2.2% vs. 40.9 ± 0.5%, P < 0.05). When the data were stratified by activity limitation status, no significant differences were observed. People with diabetes were equally likely to have engaged in exercise in the preceding 2 weeks and to have expended ≥2,000 kcal/week as people without diabetes. Walking was the activity of choice for both groups: 49.2 ± 2.1% of people with diabetes reported walking during the previous 2 weeks compared with 44.2 ± 0.5% of people without diabetes (P < 0.05). People with diabetes were less likely to engage in jogging, aerobics, dancing, calisthenics, bicycling, weight lifting, several ball sports, and skiing than people without diabetes. CONCLUSIONS After adjusting for activity limitations and age, people with and without diabetes are equally likely to exercise. The majority of people with diabetes, like their nondiabetic counterparts, are not meeting national physical activity goals. Individuals with diabetes should be encouraged to exercise regularly in accordance with their capabilities, physical limitations, and personal interests.