Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Parkinson’s Disease Multimodal Complex Treatment (PD-MCT): Analysis of Therapeutic Effects and Predictors for Improvement

Parkinson’s disease Multimodal Complex Treatment (PD-MCT) is a multidisciplinary inpatient treatment approach that has been demonstrated to improve motor function and quality of life in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD). In this study, we assessed the efficacy of PD-MCT and calculated predictors for improvement. We performed a prospective analysis in a non-randomized, open-label observational patient cohort. Study examinations were done at baseline (BL), at discharge after two-weeks of inpatient treatment (DC) and at a six-week follow-up examination (FU). Besides Movement Disorders Society Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS) III as a primary outcome, motor performance was measured by the Timed Up-and-Go (TUG), the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and the Perdue Pegboard Test (PPT). Until DC, motor performance improved significantly in several parameters and was largely maintained until FU (MDS-UPDRS III BL-to-DC: −4.7 ± 1.2 (SE) p = 0.0012, BL-to-FU: −6.1 ± 1.3 p = 0.0001; TUG BL-to-DC: −2.5 ± 0.9 p = 0.015, BL-to-FU: 2.4 ± 0.9 p = 0.027; BBS BL-to-DC: 2.4 ± 0.7 p = 0.003, BL-to-FU: 1.3 ± 0.7 p = 0.176, PPT BL-to-DC: 3.0 ± 0.5 p = 0.000004, BL-to-FU: 1.7 ± 0.7 p = 0.059). Overall, nontremor items were more therapy responsive than tremor items. Motor complications evaluated with MDS-UPDRS IV occurred significantly less frequent at DC (−1.8 ± 0.5 p = 0.002). Predictor analyses revealed an influence of initial motor impairment and disease severity on the treatment response in different motor aspects. In summary, we demonstrate a significant positive treatment effect of PD-MCT on motor function of PD patients which can be maintained in several parameters for an extended time period of six weeks and identify predictors for an improvement of motor function.
Highly Effective Fibrin Biopolymer Scaffold for Stem Cells Upgrading Bone Regeneration

Fibrin scaffold fits as a provisional platform promoting cell migration and proliferation, angiogenesis, connective tissue formation and growth factors stimulation. We evaluated a unique heterologous fibrin biopolymer as scaffold to mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to treat a critical-size bone defect. Femurs of 27 rats were treated with fibrin biopolymer (FBP); FBP + MSCs; and FBP + MSC differentiated in bone lineage (MSC-D). Bone repair was evaluated 03, 21 and 42 days later by radiographic, histological and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) imaging. The FBP + MSC-D association was the most effective treatment, since newly formed Bone was more abundant and early matured in just 21 days. We concluded that FBP is an excellent scaffold for MSCs and also use of differentiated cells should be encouraged in regenerative therapy researches. The FBP ability to maintain viable MSCs at Bone defect site has modified inflammatory environment and accelerating their regeneration.
A new forest cover map of continental southeast Asia derived from SPOT-VEGETATION satellite imagery

Abstract Question: Can recent satellite imagery of coarse spatial resolution support forest cover assessment and mapping at the regional level? Location: Continental southeast Asia. Methods: Forest cover mapping was based on digital classification of SPOT4-VEGETATION satellite images of 1 km spatial resolution from the dry seasons 1998/1999 and 1999/2000. Following a geographical stratification, the spectral clusters were visually assigned to land cover classes. The forest classes were validated by an independent set of maps, derived from interpretation of satellite imagery of high spatial resolution (Landsat TM, 30 m). Forest area estimates from the regional forest cover map were compared to the forest figures of the FAO database. Results: The regional forest cover map displays 12 forest and land cover classes. The mapping of the region's deciduous and fragmented forest cover remained challenging. A high correlation was found between forest area estimates obtained from this map and from the Landsat TM derived maps. The regional and sub-regional forest area estimates were close to those reported by FAO. Conclusion: SPOT4-VEGETATION satellite imagery can be used for mapping consistently and uniformly the extent and distribution of the broad forest cover types at the regional scale. The new map can be considered as an update and improvement on existing regional forest cover maps. Abbreviations: ASEAN = Association of Southeast Asian Nations; FAO = Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations; IUCN = International Union for Conservation of Nature; LCCS = Land Cover Classification System; MRC = Mekong River Commission; NDVI = Normalized Difference Vegetation Index; NIR = Near infrared; S10 = Ten day standard composites; SWIR = Short wave infrared; VGT = SPOT4-VEGETATION.
Assessment of the Physical, Mechanical and Acoustic Properties of Arundo donax L. Biomass in Low Pressure and Temperature Particleboards

Traditionally, plant fibres have been used as a raw material for manufacturing construction materials; however, in the last century, they have been replaced by new mineral and synthetic materials with manufacturing processes that consume a large amount of energy. The objective of this study was to determine the mechanical, physical and acoustic properties of panels made from giant reed residues. The article focuses on evaluating the acoustic absorption of the boards for use in buildings. The materials used were reed particles and urea–formaldehyde was used as an adhesive. The panels were produced with three particle sizes and the influence that this parameter had on the properties of the board was evaluated. To determine the absorption coefficient, samples were tested at frequencies ranging from 50 to 6300 Hz. The results showed that the boards had a medium absorption coefficient for the low and high frequency range, with significant differences depending on the particle size. The boards with 2–4 mm particles could be classified as Class D sound absorbers, while boards with particle sizes of 0.25–1 mm showed the greatest sound transmission loss. Unlike the acoustic properties, the smaller the particle size used, the better the mechanical properties of the boards. The results showed that this may be an appropriate sound insulation material for commercial use.
Human and artificial milks for infant feeding

Introduction Role of milk in the nutrition of the new-born Maturity at birth Nutritional requirements Body composition changes Food intake measurements Comparative aspects of milk composition Analytical considerations Nutritional components Energy Carbohydrate Fat Protein Amino acid composition of milk proteins Minerals Vitamins Fat-soluble vitamins Water-soluble vitamins Antimicrobial or protective components of milk Specific antimicrobial factors Non-specific antimicrobial factors Lysozyme Lactoperoxidase Lactoferrin Vitamin-binding proteins Fatty acids Miscellaneous enzymes Changes in milk composition and nutritive value due to processing Pasteurization Ultra high temperature (UHT) sterilization In-bottle or in-can sterilization Spray-drying and roller-drying Storage Freezing PAGE 519 520 520 520 521 522 523 523 523 523 523 524 526 527 528 529 529 530
EFFICIENCY OF FOOD UTILIZATION BY HELIOTHIS ZEA (LEPIDOPTERA: NOCTUIDAE) FED ARTIFICIAL DIETS OR GREEN BEANS

Abstract Second-instar Heliothis zea (more than the 275th generation) larvae from a 16-year-old culture, were fed either green beans or artificial diet until they reached the pupal stage and then were compared to determine their relative fitness to the two diets. They proved at least as well adapted to beans as to artificial diet with regard to most parameters. Final larval weights were equal, as were pupal dry weights. Wet weights were higher in diet-fed than in bean-fed pupae. Dry food consumption was higher in diet-fed larvae than in bean-fed larvae, but the reverse was true of wet food consumption. Total food consumption by larvae was limited by food volume rather than weight or composition. The larval stage was shorter in diet-fed than in bean-fed larvae; and diet-fed larvae had better survival, higher body nitrogen, and body energy content. Oxygen consumption was lower in bean-fed than in diet-fed larvae. Efficiency of food utilization was higher for bean-fed than for diet-fed larvae both in terms of dry matter conversion and energy conversion. Nitrogen utilization efficiencies were the same for both diets. Résumé Des larves de deuxième stade de Heliothis zea maintenues en culture depuis 16 ans (au moins 275 générations) ont été nourries soit de fèves vertes, soit d'un régime artificiel, et ce jusqu'au stade pupal alors qu'elles ont été comparées afin de déterminer leur adaptation relative aux deux diètes. L'insecte est apparu également bien adapté aux fèves et au régime artificiel pour la plupart des paramètres. Les poids atteints par les larves étaient les mêmes, de même que les poids secs des pupes. Le poids frais des pupes était plus élevé chez les individus nourris du régime que chez ceux nourris de fèves. La consommation de matière sèche s'est avérée plus élevée pour les larves nourries de fèves, à l'inverse de la consommation exprimée en poids frais. La consommation totale de nourriture par les larves est apparue limitée par le volume de la nourriture plutôt que par son poids ou sa composition. Le développement larvaire a été plus court chez les larves nourries du régime que chez celles nourries de fèves; les larves nourries du régime ont aussi montré une meilleure survie et une teneur corporelle en azote et en énergie plus élevées. La consommation d'oxygène des larves nourries de fèves était plus faible que chez celles nourries du régime. L'efficacité d'utilisation de la nourriture était plus élevée chez les larves nourries de fèves que chez celles nourries du régime, aussi bien pour la conversion de matière sèche que pour la consommation d'énergie. Les efficacités d'utilisation de l'azote étaient similaires pour les deux diètes.
Recruiters' perspectives of recruiting women during pregnancy and childbirth to clinical trials: A qualitative evidence synthesis

Introduction Research on research is key to enhancing efficacy in trial methodology. Clinical trials involving women during pregnancy and childbirth are limited, with a paucity of data guiding evidence-based practice. Following a prioritisation exercise that highlighted the top-ten unanswered recruitment questions, this qualitative evidence synthesis was designed specifically to focus on the barriers and enablers for clinicians/healthcare professionals in helping conduct randomised trials within the context of recruitment during pregnancy and childbirth. Methods The synthesis was undertaken using Thomas and Harden’s three stage thematic synthesis method and reported following the ENTREQ guidelines. Using a pre-determined SPIDER strategy, we conducted a comprehensive search of databases; Pubmed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, EMBASE, and grey searches for records until January 2019. We included all reports of qualitative data on recruiter’s experiences, perceptions, views of recruiting women during pregnancy and childbirth to clinical trials. Altogether 13,401 records were screened, resulting in 31 full-text reviews, of which five were eligible for inclusion. Quality was appraised using CASP. Data were extracted onto a specifically defined form. We used thematic synthesis to identify descriptive and analytical themes, and to interpret and generate theory. Confidence was assessed using GRADE-CERQual. The review protocol is publicly available (OSF https://osf.io/g4dt9/). Results Five papers (representing four individual studies) from two different countries were included. All studies focused on the experiences of trial recruiters in the maternity setting. We identified four analytical themes; Recruitment through a clinician’s lens, Recruiters judgement on acceptability, From protocol to recruiters lived experience, Framing recruitment in context. These were linked by an overarching theme combining beliefs and power. Conclusion The overarching theme combining beliefs and power links the experiences and perceptions of recruiters. This synthesis shows a gap between the trial design study protocol and the recruiter’s lived experience. Strategies such as collaborative trial design, mitigating gatekeeping behaviours, and training may support recruiters in their endeavour.
Ecological trap in the buffer zone of a protected area: effects of indirect anthropogenic mortality on the African wild dog Lycaon pictus

Abstract Because of the large home range requirements of wide-ranging carnivores, protected areas are often too small to maintain large populations. Consequently these carnivores regularly move outside protected areas, where they are likely to be exposed to anthropogenic mortality. We used data from 15 packs of radio-collared African wild dogs Lycaon pictus to examine the level of anthropogenic mortality African wild dogs experience around Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe, and tried to determine whether the buffer zone outside the Park acts as an ‘ecological trap’. Over time, study packs moved their territories closer to or beyond the Park border. With the movement of territories into the buffer zone outside the Park, African wild dogs experienced an increasing level of anthropogenic mortality. Although larger litters were born outside the Park, mortality exceeded natality. Densities of the African wild dog in the study area were low and territories for given pack sizes were smaller outside the Park. Hence, the movement of packs outside the Park does not appear to be density related and the buffer zone is therefore unlikely to function as a classic sink. Favourable ecological conditions indicate that the buffer zone outside the Park is likely to serve as an ecological trap, with fitness-enhancing factors attracting African wild dogs outside the Park, where they are incapable of perceiving the higher mortality risk associated with mostly indirect anthropogenic causes. As far as we know this is one of the first studies describing an ecological trap for mammals.
Response Of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) And Associated Grassy Weeds Grown In Salt-Affected Soil To Effects Of Graminicides And Indole Acetic Acid

Abstract Two field experiments were carried out in two successive seasons to examine the effect of weed management on wheat crop under saline condition and how herbicides can interact with foliar application with indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) to improve weed suppression and enhance crop growth and productivity under salinity stress. Clodinafop-propargyl was the best option to attain acceptable grassy weeds control. Increasing IAA from 0 up to 150 ppm significantly increased number and dry weight of grassy weeds in wheat after 80 days from sowing. Application of IAA at 150 ppm recorded the highest number and dry weight of weeds. Clodinafop-propargyl produced the lowest values of number and dry weight of weeds as well as nutrients uptake by weeds when water spraying was added. While application of IAA at 150 ppm gave the maximum values of flag leaf area, SPAD meter values, number of spike/m2, spike length, number of spikelets/spike, grains number/spike, grains weight/spike, as well as grain, straw, and total crude protein, phosphorus and potassium percentages when clodinafop-propargyl treatment was applied. It could be concluded that using IAA at 150 ppm resulted in enhancement of growth and productivity of wheat crop when integrated with clodinafop-propargyl treatment under salinity condition.
A Primary Care Randomized Controlled Trial of Hall and Conventional Restorative Techniques

Objectives: To investigate treatment outcomes of different restorative techniques undertaken by dental therapists for primary molar carious lesions in a sample of children in New Zealand primary care. Methods: This was a randomized controlled trial with children aged 3 to 8 y in New Zealand’s Whanganui region. Children meeting inclusion criteria were randomly allocated to treatment with either the Hall technique (HT), in which a stainless-steel crown (SSC) is placed without any carious tissue removal or tooth preparation, or a non-Hall conventional restorative approach (NHT), including tooth preparation with selective carious tissue removal; this included SSC, amalgam, composite, or glass ionomer cement (GIC) restorations. Restorative outcomes after 12 and 24 mo were categorized as success, minor failure, or major failure. Results: Of the 295 eligible children, 149 and 146 were allocated to the HT and NHT groups, respectively, with a total of 570 carious primary molars treated by 13 dental therapists. The participant follow-up rates at 12 and 24 mo were 95% and 91%. SSCs were the most commonly used restoration in the NHT group (60%), followed by GIC (28%). SSCs were the most successful restorations regardless of whether they were placed with the HT or NHT, with success rates of 89% and 92% at 12 mo and 85% and 86% at 24 mo. In the NHT group, the treatment material was a predictor of minor failure at 12 and 24 mo, with significantly more failures with GICs. Conclusions: SSCs placed by dental therapists are a highly successful restoration for the primary dentition, regardless of whether they are placed with the HT or conventionally. The high failure rate of glass ionomer restorations means that they cannot be recommended for widespread use in New Zealand primary care (Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry, ACTRN12614000844640). Knowledge Transfer Statement: The findings of this study can be used by policy makers and clinicians when deciding on which materials and which approach to use to maximize success and to minimize retreatment rates when providing restorative treatment for carious primary molars in children’s primary oral health care. Results also suggest that undertaking research in the primary care setting may enhance translation of new knowledge and techniques into clinicians’ hands.
Leader Behavioral Integrity and Employee In-Role Performance: The Roles of Coworker Support and Job Autonomy

The positive relationship between leader behavioral integrity and an employee’s in-role performance is well-established, but explanations for why this effect exists are still in a nascent stage. Drawing upon leader behavioral integrity theory and job-demands resources theory, the authors explain how leader behavioral integrity facilitates employee in-role performance and the boundary conditions influencing the relationship between leader behavioral integrity and employee in-role performance. Using multisource data from 209 employee-manager dyads in South Korea, this paper found support for the mediating effect of coworker support in the positive relationship between leader behavior integrity and employees’ in-role autonomy. Furthermore, compared to those who perceive low job autonomy, the positive indirect effect of leader behavioral integrity on in-role performance via coworker support was stronger for employees who perceive high job autonomy. The findings emphasize the importance of a leader’s individual difference (i.e., leader behavioral integrity) and job resources (i.e., job autonomy) facilitating the receipt of team members’ supporting behaviors which, in turn, energize employee in-role performance. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.
Netting Surveys for Bats in the Northeast: Differences Associated with Habitat, Duration of Netting, and Use of Consecutive Nights

Abstract Using results from a three-year mist-netting survey of bats in Michigan, we examined effects of three aspects of netting protocols on number of bats caught, relative abundance of species, species diversity, and species evenness. Netting for a second consecutive night at the same location led to a 40% reduction in number of bats captured, although relative abundance, diversity, and evenness were not affected. Proportionately fewer bats were caught during the 5th h after sunset compared with the first 4 h in a night; however, diversity and evenness were greater in the 5th h compared with the first 4 h. Diversity, evenness, and number of bats captured in nets set over wooded areas on land did not differ from nets set over water, but relative abundance differed between habitats. Even slight variations in netting protocols can lead to quantitative differences in the description of a local assemblage of bats.
A report of clustered COVID-19 in a hematology ward

A novel coronavirus resulted in an outbreak of COVID-19 in China and has rapidly become a global pandemic due to its very high infectivity. Patients with hematologic diseases, especially malignancies, are more susceptible to infection than the general population because of their systemic immunosuppressed state caused by the underlying disease with neutropenia, lymphopenia, and impaired innate and adaptive immunity, as well as the impact of chemotherapy and other immunosuppressive therapies. Patients with hematologic malignancies may therefore be at increased risk of COVID-19 infection and have a poorer prognosis. These patients may also spread the virus more efficiently due to increased viral loads and slow clearance of infection. We report here a cluster of COVID-19 infections within a hematology ward inWuhan, China, the initial center of the epidemic, that involved 2 rooms, 6 patients, 5 nurses, and 1 doctor.
Unraveling the mystery of Covid‐19 cytokine storm: From skin to organ systems

COVID‐19 is a global pandemic that emerged from Wuhan, China. Besides pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome, the disease leads to multisystem involvement in the form of myocarditis, arrhythmias, cardiac arrest, gastrointestinal symptoms, hypoxemic brain injury, acute liver, and renal function impairment. There are also reports of cutaneous lesions in form of urticarial and maculopapular rashes, chilblain like fingers and toes (covid feet), livedoid vasculopathy, and chicken‐pox like or varicelliform vesicles. Clinically, many of these skin lesions are likely secondary to occlusion of small to medium blood vessels due to microthrombi formation or due to viral laden antigen‐antibody immune complexes; and same explanation may hold true for possible hypoxemic injury simultaneously occurring in other vital organs like lungs, heart, brain, and kidneys. The histopathology, immunoflorescence and RT‐PCR analysis of skin biopsies can provide useful insights for ascertaining the pathogenesis of this complex viral syndrome. Apparently, it is interplay of disarmed cellular immunity and over‐activated humoral immunity that culminates in end‐organ changes. The morbidity and mortality can be significantly reduced by upgrading the cellular immunity and downgrading the humoral response; along with prevention of hypoxemic and reperfusion injuries by using antivirals, immunomodulators, antioxidants, anti‐platelets, and anticoagulants in judicious and phased manner.