Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Last Common Ancestor of Apes and Humans: Morphology and Environment

For much of their history, fossil apes retained many monkey-like features in posture and body structure. They also occupied a range of habitats, of which tropical forest was only a part, and there is evidence of increasing terrestriality in the fossil record as it is known at present (2019). In the early Miocene (18–20 million years ago, Ma), fossil apes were pronograde arboreal slow climbers, associated mainly with forest environments and deciduous woodland and with some indications of terrestrial behaviour, particularly the larger species. Their hands had long and opposable thumbs, and the phalanges were curved. In the early middle Miocene (15–16 Ma), apes were still monkey-like in body plan and posture and were associated almost entirely with non-forest, deciduous woodland habitats, with increasing evidence of terrestrial adaptations. Hand proportions remained the same. Towards the end of the middle Miocene (12 Ma), some fossil ape species had broadened chests, long clavicles, medial torsion of the humerus and re-positioning of the scapula to the back. These adaptations may have been linked with more upright posture, as in the living apes, but unlike them, the hand phalanges were short, robust and less curved, and the thumb remained long. Associated environments were deciduous woodland rather than forest. This body plan was retained in part in some later Miocene apes (10 Ma), some of which also had more elongated limbs and hands (thumb length not known), and hind limbs modified for greater flexibility, analogous with the orang utan. Associated environments were subtropical deciduous woodlands and subtropical evergreen laurophyllous woodland in southern Europe. Other late Miocene European apes had adaptations for living on the ground, and some of these also shared characters of the skull with orang utans. They are associated with more open deciduous woodland habitats. This body plan and environment were retained in the early hominin, Ardipithecus ramidus, but with a more robust postcranial skeleton and incipient bipedalism. Based on shared character states in fossil apes, living apes and early hominins, 27 characters are identified as probable attributes of the last common ancestor (LCA) of apes and humans. The likely environment of the LCA was tropical deciduous woodland with some evidence of more open habitats, and this remained unchanged in the transition from apes to early hominins.
Characterization of the mutation spectrum in a Pakistani cohort of type 3 von Willebrand disease

Type 3 von Willebrand disease (VWD), a severe autosomal recessive hereditary bleeding disorder, is described by the virtual absence of von Willebrand factor (VWF). In consanguineous populations, for example Pakistan, the disease is reported with a higher incidence rate than the worldwide prevalence.
Stakeholder perspectives on research and development priorities for mobility assistive-technology: a literature review

Abstract Purpose Over one billion people with disabilities (PWDs) and older adults with mobility impairment are currently in need of assistive technology devices (ATDs) and only 10% of those population have ordinarily access to them. The need for advancement in mobility-assistive technology is growing to address the gap in ATDs provision globally. The purpose of this review is to identify potential future areas of development and research in mobility-assistive technology. Method Publications were identified using scientific and medical electronic databases. Also, a limited grey literature search was conducted to muster a variety of sources. A combination of keyword search terms was used, corresponding to the medical subject heading (MeSH) terms. Results A total of 392 articles were identified, of which 75 were selected for detailed review. Twenty-eight articles were identified that met the review’s inclusion criteria. Future areas of research for mobility-assistive technology were identified by grouping the publications into four main categories. The findings of this review identified several areas of research and development in ATDs in general and mobility-assistive technology, in particular, with special attention to the importance of engaging users and stakeholders in the process of research and design. Conclusions It is apparent that users’ needs and priorities vary between regions within countries. The majority of studies were noted to mainly identify consumers’ perspectives on a national basis. The authors, therefore, suggest that further research should be conducted on a global level to determine the knowledge and perspectives concerning future research and development needs and priorities in mobility-assistive technologies. Implication for Rehabilitation Despite the benefits derived from the use of ATDs, only 10% of people with disabilities have access to them. Increasing access, quality and affordable ATDs in all countries is global demand. Identifying mobility consumers’ needs and priorities would help in enhancing their quality of life by translating research into new technologies that meet their environment and culture needs. Users’ involvement in research and design process is a crucial approach to re-shape the future research agenda.
Social Ambivalence and Disease (SAD): A Theoretical Model Aimed at Understanding the Health Implications of Ambivalent Relationships

The protective influence of social relationships on health is widely documented; however, not all relationships are positive, and negative aspects of relationships may be detrimental. Much less is known about the relationships characterized by both positivity and negativity (i.e., ambivalence). This article provides a theoretical framework for considering the influence of ambivalent relationships on physical health, including reasons why ambivalence should be considered separately from relationships characterized as primarily positive (supportive) or primarily negative (aversive). We introduce the social ambivalence and disease (SAD) model as a guide to understanding the social psychological antecedents, processes, and consequences of ambivalent relationships. We conclude by highlighting gaps in the literature and features of the SAD model that may serve as a guide to future research on potential health-relevant pathways of ambivalent relationships.
The effect of breastfeeding on the BMI of Hispanic preschool children

The Effect of Breastfeeding on the BMI of Hispanic Preschool Children by Linda Marie Kilby M.S., St. Joseph’s University, 1988 R.D. , Howard University, 1971 B.A., Columbia Union College, 1966 Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirement for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy
Color Image Retrieval Based on Quaternion and Deep Features

In this paper, aiming at the inefficient question of feature extraction and multi-feature fusion in existing algorithms, we propose a color image retrieval algorithm based on quaternion and deep features. Firstly, we replace the real part of the quaternion with the image information entropy to form a new image matrix, and extracting its moment invariant as the traditional features. Meanwhile, the deep features are extracted by the improved convolutional neural network. Secondly, we develop an effective features fusion procedure. Finally, retrieval results are obtained by Euclidean distance between image’s fusion features. In order to demonstrate the effectiveness of our method, we have conducted extensive experiments on three well known datasets (INRIA Holidays dataset, University of Kentucky Benchmark, Oxford 5k).
Effects of Non‐invasive Brain Stimulation on Headache Intensity and Frequency of Headache Attacks in Patients With Migraine: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis

Non‐invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) techniques such as repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), as well as transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) electrically stimulate the brain and modify brain activity to suppress pain. This method is emerging as a potential clinical intervention against migraine.
Establishing equivalent diabetes in male and female Nos3‐deficient mice results in a comparable onset of diabetic kidney injury

Clinical studies indicate that sex differences exist in susceptibility for developing diabetic kidney disease (DKD), supporting the need to examine both sexes in animal studies of DKD. Streptozotocin (STZ) is commonly used in male mice to induce diabetes and DKD. However, females are not normally included because their sex hormones partially protect them from STZ‐induced islet injury and consequent diabetes. To address this issue, we identified a strategy to induce comparable diabetes in male and female mice using STZ and determined whether both sexes develop equivalent renal injury. Male and female mice lacking the gene for endothelial nitric oxide synthase (Nos3‐/‐) were made diabetic with five or six low‐dose STZ injections, respectively. Groups of male and female mice with equivalent hyperglycemia at week 3 after STZ were assessed for DKD at week 8. STZ‐treated male and female Nos3‐/‐ mice maintained comparable hyperglycemia between weeks 3 and 8 had an equivalent increase in HbA1c levels and comparable hypertension. Urine albumin/creatinine levels were elevated eightfold in mice of both sexes at week 8, accompanied by an equivalent loss of podocytes. In diabetic males and females, plasma cystatin C levels and glomerular collagen deposition were similarly increased. Kidney mRNA levels of proinflammatory and profibrotic markers and kidney injury molecule‐1 (KIM‐1) were equally elevated in males and females, indicating comparable kidney injury. This study shows that equivalent diabetes induces a comparable onset of DKD in male and female Nos3‐/‐ mice, demonstrating that it is possible to include males and females together in studies of DKD.
Ascending aortic dilatation rate after transcatheter aortic valve replacement in patients with bicuspid and tricuspid aortic stenosis: A multidetector computed tomography follow-up study.

BACKGROUND Current data is lacking about the progression of ascending aortic dilatation after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) in aortic stenosis (AS) patients with bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) and tricuspid aortic valve (TAV). This study aims to assess the ascending aortic dilatation rate (mm/year) after TAVR in patients with BAV versus TAV using a multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) follow-up and to determine the predictors of ascending aortic dilatation rate. METHODS Severe AS patients undergoing TAVR from March 2013 to March 2018 at our center with MDCT follow-ups were included. BAV and TAV were identified using baseline MDCT. Baseline and follow-up MDCT images were analyzed, and the diameters of ascending aorta were measured. Study end point is ascending aortic dilatation rate (mm/year). Furthermore, factors predicting ascending aortic dilatation rate were also investigated. RESULTS Two hundred and eight patients were included, comprised of 86 BAV and 122 TAV patients. Five, 4, 3, 2, and 1-year MDCT follow-ups were achieved in 7, 9, 30, 46, and 116 patients. The ascending aortic diameter was significantly increased after TAVR in both BAV group (43.7±4.4 mm vs. 44.0±4.5 mm; P<0.001) and TAV group (39.1±4.8 mm vs. 39.7±5.1 mm; P<0.001). However, no difference of ascending aortic dilatation rate was found between BAV and TAV group (0.2±0.8 mm/year vs. 0.3±0.8 mm/year, P=0.592). Multivariate linear regression revealed paravalvular leakage (PVL) grade was independently associated with ascending aortic dilatation rate in the whole population and BAV group, but not TAV group. No aortic events occurred during follow-ups. CONCLUSION Ascending aortic size continues to grow after TAVR in BAV patients, but the dilatation rate is mild and comparable to that of TAV patients. PVL grade is associated with ascending aortic dilatation rate in BAV patients post-TAVR.
Protein surface topography as a tool to enhance the selective activity of a potassium channel blocker

Tk-hefu is an artificial peptide designed based on the α-hairpinin scaffold, which selectively blocks voltage-gated potassium channels Kv1.3. Here we present its spatial structure resolved by NMR spectroscopy and analyze its interaction with channels using computer modeling. We apply protein surface topography to suggest mutations and increase Tk-hefu affinity to the Kv1.3 channel isoform. We redesign the functional surface of Tk-hefu to better match the respective surface of the channel pore vestibule. The resulting peptide Tk-hefu-2 retains Kv1.3 selectivity and displays ∼15 times greater activity compared with Tk-hefu. We verify the mode of Tk-hefu-2 binding to the channel outer vestibule experimentally by site-directed mutagenesis. We argue that scaffold engineering aided by protein surface topography represents a reliable tool for design and optimization of specific ion channel ligands.
Coordination of Human Hippocampal Sharpwave Ripples during NREM Sleep with Cortical Theta Bursts, Spindles, Downstates, and Upstates

In rodents, waking firing patterns replay in NREM sleep during hippocampal sharpwave ripples (HC-SWRs), correlated with neocortical graphoelements (NC-GEs). NC-GEs include theta bursts, spindles, downstates, and upstates. In humans, consolidation during sleep is correlated with scalp-recorded spindles and downstates/upstates, but HC-SWRs cannot be recorded noninvasively. Here we show in humans of both sexes that HC-SWRs are highly correlated with NC-GEs during NREM, with significantly more related HC-SWRs/NC-GEs for downstates or upstates than theta bursts or spindles, in N2 than N3, in posterior than anterior HC, in frontal than occipital cortex, and ipsilaterally than contralaterally. The preferences interacted (e.g., frontal spindles co-occurred frequently with posterior HC-SWRs in N2). These preferred GEs, stages, and locations for HC-SWR/NC-GE interactions may index selective consolidation activity, although that was not tested in this study. SWR recorded in different HC regions seldom co-occurred, and were related to GE in different cortical areas, showing that HC-NC interact in multiple transient, widespread but discrete, networks. NC-GEs tend to occur with consistent temporal relationships to HC-SWRs, and to each other. Cortical theta bursts usually precede HC-SWRs, where they may help define cortical input triggering HC-SWR firing. HC-SWRs often follow cortical downstate onsets, surrounded by locally decreased broadband power, suggesting a mechanism synchronizing cortical, thalamic, and hippocampal activities. Widespread cortical upstates and spindles follow HC-SWRs, consistent with the hypothesized contribution by hippocampal firing during HC-SWRs to cortical firing-patterns during upstates and spindles. Overall, our results describe how hippocampal and cortical oscillations are coordinated in humans during events that are critical for memory consolidation in rodents. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Hippocampal sharpwave ripples, essential for memory consolidation, mark when hippocampal neurons replay waking firing patterns. In rodents, cortical sleep waves coordinate the transfer of temporary hippocampal to permanent cortical memories, but their relationship with human hippocampal sharpwave ripples remains unclear. We show that human hippocampal sharpwave ripples co-occur with all varieties of cortical sleep waves, in all cortical regions, and in all stages of NREM sleep, but with overall preferences for each of these. We found that sharpwave ripples in different parts of the hippocampus usually occurred independently of each other, and preferentially interacted with different cortical areas. We found that sharpwave ripples typically occur after certain types of cortical waves, and before others, suggesting how the cortico-hippocampo-cortical interaction may be organized in time and space.
“Death from a broken heart”: A systematic review of the relationship between spousal bereavement and physical and physiological health outcomes

Abstract The loss of a loved one is often associated with “death from a broken heart” for the survivor, and there is evidence that shows that widowers and widows are at risk for higher morbidity and mortality than the general population. This systematic review will summarize the physical and physiological health outcomes of spousal bereavement. A systematic database search was conducted, and 38 studies were analyzed. The majority of studies found a statistically significant and positive association between spousal bereavement and adverse physical and physiological health outcomes such as inflammation, cardiovascular risk, chronic pain, and mortality.
The remains of the taboo: experiences, attitudes, and knowledge about menopause in the workplace

Abstract Objectives: This study explored experiences of, attitudes to, and knowledge about menopause in the workplace among participants from the UK to assess the extent to which menopause remains a taboo in this context. Method: An online survey was distributed via Trades Union Congress, UK networks and social media, and was completed by 5399 respondents. Questions explored three key issues relating to menopause at work: respondents’ own experiences of menopause transition; disclosure at work; and availability of information on menopause at work. Result: The largest group (43.4%) of respondents were perimenopausal and 16.8% were postmenopausal; 12.3% indicated that they might be experiencing menopause but were not sure. Only 45.8% had disclosed their menopause status at work. Fewer than 20% were provided with information about menopause in their workplace but the majority would like such information to be available. Conclusion: The survey findings suggest some progress has been made to raise awareness about menopause in the workplace but that substantial work remains to be done to ensure women transitioning through menopause are supported.
Finding Models via MSFD to Predict Number of Wars in Which USA May Participate in Next Ten Years

Nowadays, the USA (i.e., United States of America) is the most powerful country in the world. Depending on its powerful military strength, the USA often takes part in wars in many countries for various purposes. The USA’s military actions often play important roles in the world. Will the USA participate in more wars in the futureƒ In this paper, a method named multiple sine functions decomposition (MSFD) is presented to predict the number of wars that the USA may participate in. We use this method to learn the data of historical wars, and then generate the model for prediction. Finally the model predicts that the USA may be involved in 3 to 4 wars within the next ten years. Notably, this paper differs from other or previous papers that we divide the input data-set into two parts (i.e., learning part and learning-checking part), used to further improve the robustness of the results.
NPC1 enables cholesterol mobilization during long‐term potentiation that can be restored in Niemann–Pick disease type C by CYP46A1 activation

NPC is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by cholesterol accumulation in endolysosomal compartments. It is caused by mutations in the gene encoding NPC1, an endolysosomal protein mediating intracellular cholesterol trafficking. Cognitive and psychiatric alterations are hallmarks in NPC patients pointing to synaptic defects. However, the role of NPC1 in synapses has not been explored. We show that NPC1 is present in the postsynaptic compartment and is locally translated during LTP. A mutation in a region of the NPC1 gene commonly altered in NPC patients reduces NPC1 levels at synapses due to enhanced NPC1 protein degradation. This leads to shorter postsynaptic densities, increased synaptic cholesterol and impaired LTP in NPC1nmf164 mice with cognitive deficits. NPC1 mediates cholesterol mobilization and enables surface delivery of CYP46A1 and GluA1 receptors necessary for LTP, which is defective in NPC1nmf164 mice. Pharmacological activation of CYP46A1 normalizes synaptic levels of cholesterol, LTP and cognitive abilities, and extends life span of NPC1nmf164 mice. Our results unveil NPC1 as a regulator of cholesterol dynamics in synapses contributing to synaptic plasticity, and provide a potential therapeutic strategy for NPC patients.
Exercise for Smoking Cessation in Post-Menopausal Women: A Randomized, Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND Postmenopausal smokers have difficulty quitting smoking and experience considerable weight gain with smoking cessation. We examined whether adjunctive smoking treatment with exercise, compared to a relaxation control condition, could improve cigarette abstinence, decrease cigarettes smoked per day (CPD) and ameliorate changes in body mass index (BMI) in postmenopausal smokers. METHODS Women (N=301) signed informed consent and were randomized to treatment at two sites (Universities of Connecticut and Minnesota). We randomized groups of participants to a comprehensive group treatment program that included 12 weeks of varenicline and either a moderate exercise or relaxation component for 6 months. Participants were followed for a year after medication treatment. RESULTS Overall, 17.3% of patients reported carbon monoxide-verified continuous abstinence for the 9-12-week period, and 11.6% reported prolonged abstinence at one year, with no significant differences between treatment conditions. CPD reported at study visits showed significant main effects for time in weeks, for site, and for treatment. The Exercise group reported smoking fewer CPD over time, and that advantage widened over time. In terms of BMI, significant effects for time in weeks, and for the interaction of Week X Treatment condition, reflected gradually increasing BMI in these women over time, but with the increase in BMI slower in the Exercise condition. CONCLUSIONS Exercise, compared to relaxation, was associated with a reduced BMI and CPD in postmenopausal women, but did not increase end of treatment or prolonged abstinence. Further research is needed to devise exercise programs that increase smoking cessation rates in postmenopausal women. IMPLICATIONS This study adds to the literature on the effectiveness of a moderate exercise intervention compared to a relaxation control condition as an adjunctive treatment for smoking cessation in postmenopausal women. Our exercise program did not increase end of treatment or prolonged abstinence rates in postmenopausal women; however, there was a beneficial effect on smoking reduction and reduced body mass index. Additional research is needed to devise exercise programs that increase smoking cessation rates in postmenopausal women.