Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Exploring the right to work among persons with disabilities: The role of labor-oriented values.

BACKGROUND The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) assumes that persons with disabilities have similar rights, motivations to work and personal values as those without disabilities. OBJECTIVE The article examines the corroboration between this assumption and real-life facts to better understand the importance of labor-oriented values in people with disabilities. METHODS We tested the relationship between human values, employment and wages among Israelis with disabilities who cope with prejudice, negative attitudes and a lack of accessible workplaces in comparison to Israelis without disabilities. RESULTS We found that the effect of labor-oriented values on employment status is 70% higher among people with disabilities than among those without disabilities. Furthermore, persons with disabilities ranked power and achievement as important values related to employment, but these values were not included in the considerations of persons without disabilities. CONCLUSIONS These results highlight the importance of labor-oriented values for people with disabilities to overcome challenges in the labor market. Our findings suggest that rehabilitation policies would benefit from identifying personal human values of people with disabilities at an early stage of their career.
Synchronization of Inertial Neural Networks With Time-Varying Delays via Quantized Sampled-Data Control

This article addresses the quantized sampled-data (QSD) synchronization for inertial neural networks (INNs) with heterogeneous time-varying delays, in which the sampled-data control and state quantization effect have been considered. By utilizing a proper variable substitution to transform the original system into a first-order differential system, choosing a new Lyapunov–Krasovskii functional (LKF) containing both the continuous terms and the discontinuous terms, and applying Jensen inequality and an improved reciprocally convex inequality to estimate the derivative of the LKF, the sufficient conditions for QSD synchronization for INNs are newly obtained in terms of linear matrix inequalities (LMIs), and the desired QSD controllers are designed by solving a set of LMIs. Finally, three numerical examples are provided to validate the effectiveness and benefit of the proposed results.
Signatures of a liquid–liquid transition in an ab initio deep neural network model for water

Significance Water is central across much of the physical and biological sciences and exhibits physical properties that are qualitatively distinct from those of most other liquids. Understanding the microscopic basis of water’s peculiar properties remains an active area of research. One intriguing hypothesis is that liquid water can separate into metastable high- and low-density liquid phases at low temperatures and high pressures, and the existence of this liquid–liquid transition could explain many of water’s anomalous properties. We used state-of-the-art approaches in computational quantum chemistry, statistical mechanics, and machine learning and obtained evidence consistent with a liquid–liquid transition, supporting the argument for the existence of this phenomenon in real water. The possible existence of a metastable liquid–liquid transition (LLT) and a corresponding liquid–liquid critical point (LLCP) in supercooled liquid water remains a topic of much debate. An LLT has been rigorously proved in three empirically parametrized molecular models of water, and evidence consistent with an LLT has been reported for several other such models. In contrast, experimental proof of this phenomenon has been elusive due to rapid ice nucleation under deeply supercooled conditions. In this work, we combined density functional theory (DFT), machine learning, and molecular simulations to shed additional light on the possible existence of an LLT in water. We trained a deep neural network (DNN) model to represent the ab initio potential energy surface of water from DFT calculations using the Strongly Constrained and Appropriately Normed (SCAN) functional. We then used advanced sampling simulations in the multithermal–multibaric ensemble to efficiently explore the thermophysical properties of the DNN model. The simulation results are consistent with the existence of an LLCP, although they do not constitute a rigorous proof thereof. We fit the simulation data to a two-state equation of state to provide an estimate of the LLCP’s location. These combined results—obtained from a purely first-principles approach with no empirical parameters—are strongly suggestive of the existence of an LLT, bolstering the hypothesis that water can separate into two distinct liquid forms.
Dietary Supplementation Practices among Varsity Athletes at a Canadian University

Abstract Background Given the risks of inadvertent doping associated with dietary supplement (DS) use, it is critical to explore the extent of dependence of varsity athletes on DS to improve performance and support recovery. The purpose of this study was to gain insight into dietary supplementation practices among varsity athletes in a university setting in Ontario, Canada. Methods An online DS use questionnaire was completed by 302 varsity athletes (30.5% male, 69.5% female; 20.5 ± 1.8-year old) who were competing in intermittent, power and endurance-based sports at the University of Guelph. The data from supplement users were analyzed using a Chi-square analysis to investigate type of DS consumption, frequency of use and reasons for use. Results Overall, 58.3% of athletes reported having used at least one type of DS in the past six months. Gender and age had significant associations with prevalence of DS use, with male athletes and athletes over 20-year old being more likely to be DS users. The most frequently reported reasons for consuming DS were to maintain good health, increase energy, promote recovery, correct or prevent micronutrient deficiencies and supply convenient forms of energy and/or macronutrients. Although, most athletes were using reliable sources of information, health care professionals, 58.6% still mentioned wanting to become more knowledgeable about DS. Conclusions Findings from this study may guide the development of educational materials needed to address knowledge gaps on DS among varsity athletes.
Identification of lymph node metastasis-related microRNAs in breast cancer using bioinformatics analysis

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text Abstract Background: Lymph node metastasis is a significant problem in breast cancer, and its underlying molecular mechanism is still unclear. The purpose of this study is to research the molecular mechanism and to explore the key RNAs and pathways that mediate lymph node metastasis in breast cancer. Methods: GSE100453 and GSE38167 were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database and 569 breast cancer statistics were also downloaded from the TCGA database. Differentially expressed miRNAs were calculated by using R software and GEO2R. Gene ontology and Enriched pathway analysis of target mRNAs were analyzed by using the Database for Database of Annotation Visualization and Integrated Discovery (DAVID) and R software. The protein–protein interaction (PPI) network was performed according to Metascape, String, and Cytoscape software. Results: In total, 6 differentially expressed miRNAs were selected, and 499 mRNAs were identified after filtering. The research of the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) demonstrated that mRNAs enriched in certain tumor pathways. Also, certain hub mRNAs were highlighted after constructed and analyzed the PPI network. A total of 3 out of 6 miRNAs had a significant relationship with the overall survival (P < .05) and showed a good ability of risk prediction model of over survival. Conclusions: By utilizing bioinformatics analyses, differently expressed miRNAs were identified and constructed a complete gene network. Several potential mechanisms and therapeutic and prognostic targets of lymph node metastasis were also demonstrated in breast cancer.
Organic Dairy Cattle: Do European Union Regulations Promote Animal Welfare?

Simple Summary This paper aims to identify improvements and gaps in the specific EU regulations for organic farming and whether they promote higher welfare standards for dairy cattle compared to the “minimum standards” set up for conventional farming. Based on the available scientific evidence, we identified areas in the organic regulations where the welfare status of the animals is improved, but some limitations and gaps exist. Abstract Animal welfare is an emerging concept in EU law; with the advent of specific regulations intending to protect animals. The approach taken by European lawmakers is to provide “minimum standards” for conventional farming; argued by some as failing to adequately protect animals. In contrast, the EU organic farming regulations aim to “establish a sustainable management system for agriculture” and promote “high animal welfare standards”. The first aim of this review was to identify key areas where there are clear improvements in quality of life for dairy cattle housed under the EU organic regulations when compared to the conventional EU regulations. Using the available scientific evidence, our second aim was to identify areas where the organic regulations fail to provide clear guidance in their pursuit to promote high standards of dairy cattle welfare. The greater emphasis placed on natural living conditions, the ban of some (but unfortunately not all) physical mutilations combined with clearer recommendations regarding housing conditions potentially position the organic dairy industry to achieve high standards of welfare. However, improvements in some sections are needed given that the regulations are often conveyed using vague language, provide exceptions or remain silent on some aspects. This review provides a critical reflection of some of these key areas related to on-farm aspects. To a lesser extent, post farm gate aspects are also discussed
4CMenB vaccine induces elite cross-protective human antibodies that compete with human factor H for binding to meningococcal fHbp

Neisseria meningitidis serogroup B (MenB) is the leading cause of meningococcal meningitis and sepsis in industrialized countries, with the highest incidence in infants and adolescents. Two recombinant protein vaccines that protect against MenB are now available (i.e. 4CMenB and MenB-fHbp). Both vaccines contain the Factor H Binding Protein (fHbp) antigen, which can bind the Human Factor H (fH), the main negative regulator of the alternative complement pathway, thus enabling bacterial survival in the blood. fHbp is present in meningococcal strains as three main variants which are immunologically distinct. Here we sought to obtain detailed information about the epitopes targeted by anti-fHbp antibodies induced by immunization with the 4CMenB multicomponent vaccine. Thirteen anti-fHbp human monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) were identified in a library of over 100 antibody fragments (Fabs) obtained from three healthy adult volunteers immunized with 4CMenB. Herein, the key cross-reactive mAbs were further characterized for antigen binding affinity, complement-mediated serum bactericidal activity (SBA) and the ability to inhibit binding of fH to live bacteria. For the first time, we identified a subset of anti-fHbp mAbs able to elicit human SBA against strains with all three variants and able to compete with human fH for fHbp binding. We present the crystal structure of fHbp v1.1 complexed with human antibody 4B3. The structure, combined with mutagenesis and binding studies, revealed the critical cross-reactive epitope. The structure also provided the molecular basis of competition for fH binding. These data suggest that the fH binding site on fHbp v1.1 can be accessible to the human immune system upon immunization, enabling elicitation of human mAbs broadly protective against MenB. The novel structural, biochemical and functional data are of great significance because the human vaccine-elicited mAbs are the first reported to inhibit the binding of fH to fHbp, and are bactericidal with human complement. Our studies provide molecular insights into the human immune response to the 4CMenB meningococcal vaccine and fuel the rationale for combined structural, immunological and functional studies when seeking deeper understanding of the mechanisms of action of human vaccines.
Hydrogen peroxide potentiates defense system in presence of sulfur to protect chloroplast damage and photosynthesis of wheat under drought stress.

The involvement of hydrogen peroxide (H2 O2 ) combined with sulfur (S) was studied in the protection of the photosynthetic performance of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) under drought stress. The mechanisms of S-assimilation, the activity of antioxidants, glucose sensitivity, water and osmotic relations and abscisic acid (ABA) content were the focus. The combined application of 50 μM H2 O2 and 100 mg S kg-1 soil (sulfur) resulted in a marked increase in S-assimilation and activity of antioxidant enzymes, with decreased glucose sensitivity and ABA content causing improvement in the structure and function of the photosynthetic apparatus under drought stress. The photosynthetic performance, pigment system (PS) II activity and growth were improved conspicuously by H2 O2 in the presence of S, as H2 O2 induced S-assimilation capacity, the activity of antioxidant enzymes and GSH synthesis under drought stress. Our study shows that H2 O2 is more effective in the reversal of drought stress in the presence of S through its influence on S-assimilation, glucose sensitivity and antioxidant system. These results provide evidence for the effectiveness of H2 O2 in improving photosynthesis under drought stress in the presence of S. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Monomeric carbohydrate uptake and structure-function coupling in stream biofilms

We investigated the uptake of monomeric carbohydrates in stream biofilms under vari- ous hydrodynamic environments. Flow velocity and biofilm structure influenced the uptake of glu- cose (Glc) and arabinose (Ara), 2 carbohydrate monomers differing in bioavailability. While the uptake of Glc increased with flow velocity, the uptake of Ara showed a weaker and inverse relation- ship with flow velocity. Microautoradiography and confocal-laser-scanning-microscopy of biofilm cryosections revealed patterns of monomer uptake over biofilm depth. Glc was preferentially taken up in the biofilm canopy, and modelled depth gradients suggested that boundary layer thickness con- trols external Glc mass transfer to the biofilm. In contrast, Ara uptake was uniformly distributed or concentrated in deeper biofilm layers. Overall, Glc uptake was negatively correlated with Ara uptake. We suggest that the spatial separation of monomer uptake involves unidirectional supply flux to biofilms and selective use of carbon sources of differing quality. This 'metabolic stratification' can be interpreted as an expression of the long-known carbon catabolite repression phenomenon initially described as 'diauxie' by Jacques Monod in 1942.
Molecular dynamics simulation study on Thermotoga maritima EngA: GTP/GDP bound state of the second G-domain influences the domain–domain interface interactions

Abstract EngA, a GTPase involved in the late steps of ribosome maturation, consists of two GTP binding domains (G-domains) [GD1, GD2] and a C-terminal domain. The combination of GTP/GDP in G-domains dictates its binding to the ribosomal subunits by altering its conformation. Studies and comparisons on the available structures of EngA enable us to understand the correlation between nucleotide bound states and its conformation. Using all-atom molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, we have explored the conformational behavior of EngA from Thermotoga maritima (TmDer) upon binding the various combinations of GTP and GDP. Analyses of Root Mean Square Deviation (RMSD), Radius of Gyration (Rg) and Root Mean Square Fluctuation (RMSF) emphasize the importance of the second G-domain nucleotide bound state. RMSD and Rg exhibit slightly lower values when GTP is embedded in GD2 compared to GDP. These lower values are due to Sw-II of GD2, which has been observed from RMSF plot. Further investigation on the effects of GD2 nucleotide bound state using Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Free Energy Landscape (FEL) analysis manifests an allosteric connection between GD2 nucleotide bound state and the GD1–KH interface. This is further validated by extracting electrostatic interactions and H-bonds at the GD1–KH interface. In silico mutations at the GD1 interface of KH domain affect the Sw-II mobility of GD2 by showing inverted behavior. This suggests using the second G-domain as an antibacterial target and further simulation studies on different species of EngA are to be explored. Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma
Impact of type 2 diabetes variants identified through genome-wide association studies in early-onset type 2 diabetes from South Indian population

The prevalence of early-onset type 2 diabetes (EOT2D) is increasing in Asian countries. Genome-wide association studies performed in European and various other populations have identified associations of numerous variants with type 2 diabetes in adults. However, the genetic component of EOT2D which is still unexplored could have similarities with late-onset type 2 diabetes. Here in the present study we aim to identify the association of variants with EOT2D in South Indian population. Twenty-five variants from 18 gene loci were genotyped in 1,188 EOT2D and 1,183 normal glucose tolerant subjects using the MassARRAY technology. We confirm the association of the HHEX variant rs1111875 with EOT2D in this South Indian population and also the association of CDKN2A/2B (rs7020996) and TCF7L2 (rs4506565) with EOT2D. Logistic regression analyses of the TCF7L2 variant rs4506565(A/T), showed that the heterozygous and homozygous carriers for allele ‘T’ have odds ratios of 1.47 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.17 to 1.83; p = 0.001) and 1.65 (95% CI, 1.18 to 2.28; p = 0.006) respectively, relative to AA homozygote. For the HHEX variant rs1111875 (T/C), heterozygous and homozygous carriers for allele ‘C’ have odds ratios of 1.13 (95% CI, 0.91 to 1.42; p = 0.27) and 1.58 (95% CI, 1.17 to 2.12; p = 0.003) respectively, relative to the TT homozygote. For CDKN2A/2B variant rs7020996, the heterozygous and homozygous carriers of allele ‘C’ were protective with odds ratios of 0.65 (95% CI, 0.51 to 0.83; p = 0.0004) and 0.62 (95% CI, 0.27 to 1.39; p = 0.24) respectively, relative to TT homozygote. This is the first study to report on the association of HHEX variant rs1111875 with EOT2D in this population.
Asymptomatic Malaria Co-infection of HIV-infected Adults in Nigeria: Prevalence of and Impact on Cognition, Mood and Biomarkers of Systemic Inflammation.

BACKGROUND HIV and malaria are associated with immunological perturbations and neurocognitive disorders even when asymptomatic. However, the effect of asymptomatic malaria (AM) in HIV-infected adults on neurocognitive impairment (NCI) is not well understood. This study investigated the biomarkers of systemic inflammation and neurocognition in dually-infected Nigerian adults. METHODS We assessed the HIV and AM status of 269 adults and measured their global and domain-specific neurocognition and depression using standardized measures. Blood levels of sCD14 and sCD163 were also measured. RESULTS The mean age of the participants (n=269) was 33 years, 62% were women, and AM among HIV+ and HIV- was similar (36% vs 37%). NCI was found in 23% (62/269) of participants. HIV+/AM+ had a higher prevalence of impaired learning and executive functions and were more depressed than HIV-/AM- or HIV+/AM-. HIV+ with CD4+ T cell counts ≤200/µL were more impaired in the learning domain than those with >200/µL. HIV+/AM+ group had higher levels of sCD14 compared to the other three groups and higher levels of sCD163 than the HIV-/AM- group. Higher levels of sCD14 and sCD163 were each associated with NCI. The sCD163 (log10) levels were higher for those with 1+ versus 2+ parasitemia level. CONCLUSIONS HIV and AM coinfection was associated with an increased risk of reduced learning and executive functions, and elevated systemic inflammation. Mood was more depressed in HIV patients with than those without AM. The mechanisms and long-term effects on neurocognition and depression among HIV+/AM+ individuals should be studied since this coinfection is common globally.
A new germacranolide from Ageratina vernalis

Abstract The aerial parts of Ageratina vernalis provided the new germacranolide 1,10-epoxydeltoidin A (3), together with the known pentacyclic triterpenoid hopane-6α,22-diol (1), and the also known germacranolides deltoidin A (2) and 15-hydroxydeltoidin A (4). In addition, pTsOH catalyzed cyclization of 2 afforded the new guaianolide 5. The absolute configuration of 2, 4, and 5 was assigned by vibrational circular dichroism spectroscopy, while the complete 1H and 13C NMR data assignments of 2-5 followed from 1 D- and 2 D-NMR experiments. Graphical Abstract
Physiological sex differences affect the integrative response to exercise: acute and chronic implications

What is the topic of this review? We review sex differences within physiological systems implicated in exercise performance; specifically, how they integrate to determine metabolic thresholds and fatigability. Thereafter, we discuss the implications that these sex differences might have for long‐term adaptation to exercise. What advances does it highlight? The review collates evidence from recent physiological studies that have investigated sex as a biological variable, demonstrating that the physiological response to equivalent ‘dosages’ of exercise is not the same in males and females; thus, highlighting the need to research diversity in physiological responses to interventions.
Complications of planned home births in the Czech Republic between 2016‒2017.

OBJECTIVE This study aimed to analyze the complications of planned home births treated at healthcare facilities in the Czech Republic. METHODS This prospective cohort observational study is based on analysis of women hospitalized with complications related to planned home deliveries in the Czech Republic between 2016 and 2017. The data were collected using an online form made accessible to the directors of all maternity hospitals in the Czech Republic. The results were statistically evaluated. RESULTS We identified 45 complications during planned home deliveries. Complications occurred most often among women living in largely populated cities with higher levels of education. Overall, 40% of patients did not receive routine antenatal care, and 38% of women gave birth after the 41st week of pregnancy. In 60% of cases, no professionals attended the birth. Hospital transfer frequencies were 42% after delivery, 36% at third-stage labour, 11% first-stage labour, 9% second-stage labour, and 2% before delivery. We recorded four neonatal deaths and one severe newborn morbidity. There was one maternal death unrelated to the home-birthing process and six cases of severe maternal haemorrhagic shock requiring intensive care. CONCLUSION Complications of planned home births occurred more frequently in women living in largely populated cities and with higher education levels. Planned home births were also observed among women who were at a higher risk of complications. Risk factors included nulliparity, postdate pregnancy, and lack of prenatal care. Hospital transfers occurred most often in the third stage of labour and postpartum.