Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Relationship Between Motor Capacity of the Contralesional and Ipsilesional Hand Depends on the Side of Stroke in Chronic Stroke Survivors With Mild-to-Moderate Impairment

There is considerable evidence that after a stroke, ipsilesional deficits increase as contralesional impairment increases. However, it is unclear whether this relationship differs based on the side of stroke. Here, we tested the hypothesis that the ipsilesional hand motor capacity co-varies with contralesional hand impairment only in individuals with left hemisphere damage. Forty-two pre-morbidly right-handed chronic stroke survivors (left hemisphere damage, LHD = 21) with mild-to-moderate paresis (Upper Extremity Fugl-Meyer-UEFM range: 19-59) performed distal items of the Wolf Motor Function Test (dWMFT). We used univariate co-efficient of determination (R2) and multiple linear regression to assess the relationship between motor capacity of ipsilesional and contralesional hands. Contralesional UEFM, and dWMFT were found to be significant predictors of ipsilesional hand motor capacity (p < 0.0001 for both). Importantly, the relationship between contralesional and ipsilesional hands was significantly modified by side of stroke (model adjusted R2 = 0.26 and 0.42, respectively, p < 0.01). For individuals with LHD, contralesional impairment explained 42% and contralesional hand motor capacity explained 65% of the variance in ipsilesional hand motor capacity. However, this relationship was not statistically significant for individuals with right hemisphere damage (RHD, unadjusted R2 < 1% for UEFM and 9% for dWMFT, p > 0.05). In chronic stroke survivors with mild-to-moderate impairment, our findings demonstrate that the relationship between contralesional and ipsilesional motor deficits depends on the side of stroke. Specifically, deficits co-vary between the limbs of stroke survivors with left hemisphere damage but not right hemisphere damage.
Genetic diversity and population structure of two subspecies of western honey bees (Apis mellifera L.) in the Republic of South Africa as revealed by microsatellite genotyping

Apis mellifera scutellata and Apis mellifera capensis, two native subspecies of western honey bees in the Republic of South Africa (RSA), are important to beekeepers in their native region because beekeepers use these bees for honey production and pollination purposes. Additionally, both bees are important invasive pests outside of their native ranges. Recently, whole mitogenome sequencing and single nucleotide polymorphisms were used to study their genetic diversity. To add to our knowledge of the molecular ecology of both bees, we tested the ability of microsatellites to be used as a tool to discriminate between A.m. capensis and A.m. scutellata. We analyzed the genetic variability and overall population structure of both bee subspecies and hybrids of the two by genotyping individuals collected from RSA (N = 813 bees from 75 apiaries) at 19 microsatellite DNA loci. Overall, populations averaged between 9.2 and 11.3 alleles per locus, with unbiased heterozygosity values ranging from 0.81 to 0.86 per population. Bayesian clustering analyses revealed two distinct evolutionary units, though the results did not match those of earlier morphometric and molecular analyses. This suggests that the microsatellites we tested were not sufficient for subspecies identification purposes, especially for Cape and hybrid bees. Nevertheless, the microsatellite data highlight the considerable genetic diversity within both populations and a larger-than-expected hybridization zone between the natural distributions of A.m. capensis and A.m. scutellata.
Chinese Herbal Medicine Formula Shenling Baizhu San Ameliorates High-Fat Diet-Induced NAFLD in Rats by Modulating Hepatic MicroRNA Expression Profiles

Objective The purpose of present study was to investigate the potential mechanism underlying the protective effect of Shenling Baizhu San (SLBZS) on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) by microRNA (miRNA) sequencing. Methods Thirty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into a normal control (NC) group, a high-fat diet (HFD) group, and an SLBZS group. After 12 weeks, the biochemical parameters and liver histologies of the rats were assessed. The Illumina HiSeq 2500 sequencing platform was used to analyse the hepatic miRNA expression profiles. Representative differentially expressed miRNAs were further validated by qRT-PCR. The functions of the differentially expressed miRNAs were analysed by bioinformatics. Results Our results identified 102 miRNAs that were differentially expressed in the HFD group compared with the NC group. Among those differentially expressed miRNAs, the expression levels of 28 miRNAs were reversed by SLBZS administration, suggesting the modulation effect of SLBZS on hepatic miRNA expression profiles. The qRT-PCR results confirmed that the expression levels of miR-155-5p, miR-146b-5p, miR-132-3p, and miR-34a-5p were consistent with those detected by sequencing. Bioinformatics analyses indicated that the target genes of the differentially expressed miRNAs reversed by SLBZS were mainly related to metabolic pathways. Conclusion This study provides novel insights into the mechanism of SLBZS in protecting against NAFLD; this mechanism may be partly related to the modulation of hepatic miRNA expression and their target pathways.
Overexpressed L20 Rescues 50S Ribosomal Subunit Assembly Defects of bipA-Deletion in Escherichia coli

The BipA (BPI-inducible protein A) protein is highly conserved in a large variety of bacteria and belongs to the translational GTPases, based on sequential and structural similarities. Despite its conservation in bacteria, bipA is not essential for cell growth under normal growth conditions. However, at 20°C, deletion of bipA causes not only severe growth defects but also several phenotypic changes such as capsule production, motility, and ribosome assembly, indicating that it has global regulatory properties. Our recent studies revealed that BipA is a novel ribosome-associating GTPase, whose expression is cold-shock-inducible and involved in the incorporation of the ribosomal protein (r-protein) L6. However, the precise mechanism of BipA in 50S ribosomal subunit assembly is not completely understood. In this study, to demonstrate the role of BipA in the 50S ribosomal subunit and possibly to find an interplaying partner(s), a genomic library was constructed and suppressor screening was conducted. Through screening, we found a suppressor gene, rplT, encoding r-protein L20, which is assembled at the early stage of ribosome assembly and negatively regulates its own expression at the translational level. We demonstrated that the exogenous expression of rplT restored the growth of bipA-deleted strain at low temperature by partially recovering the defects in ribosomal RNA processing and ribosome assembly. Our findings suggest that the function of BipA is pivotal for 50S ribosomal subunit biogenesis at a low temperature and imply that BipA and L20 may exert coordinated actions for proper ribosome assembly under cold-shock conditions.
Indoor carbon dioxide concentrations in Croatian elementary school classrooms during the heating season

Abstract Aware that exposure to stuffy indoor air with high levels of carbon dioxide (CO2) is associated with higher absenteeism and reduced academic performance in school pupils, the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for Europe initiated indoor air quality surveys in schools, including CO2 monitoring, to assess ventilation and exposure to stuffy air. Here we report the findings of the first such survey in Croatia. It was conducted in 60 classrooms of 20 urban and rural elementary schools throughout the country during the heating season. Measurements of CO2 levels showed that all 60 classrooms exceeded the international guidelines of 1938 mg/m3. Mean CO2 concentrations ranged from 2771 to 7763 mg/m3. The highest concentration measured in urban schools was 7763 mg/m3 and in rural schools 4771 mg/m3. Average CO2 levels were higher in continental schools (3683 mg/m3) than the coastal ones (3134 mg/m3), but all demonstrate poor ventilation during the heating season all over Croatia.
Titanite composition and SHRIMP U–Pb dating as indicators of post-magmatic tectono-thermal activity: Variscan I-type tonalites to granodiorites, the Western Carpathians

Abstract Titanite belongs to the common accessory minerals in Variscan (~360–350 Ma) metaluminous to slightly peraluminous tonalites to granodiorites of I-type affinity in the Tatric and Veporic Units, the Western Carpathians, Slovakia. It forms brown tabular prismatic-dipyramidal crystals (~0.5 to 10 mm in size) in association with quartz, plagioclase, and biotite. Titanite crystals commonly shows oscillatory, sector and convolute irregular zonal textures, reflecting mainly variations in Ca and Ti versus Al (1–2 wt. % Al2O3, 0.04–0.08 Al apfu), Fe (0.6–1.6 wt. % Fe2O3, 0.02–0.04 Fe apfu), REE (La to Lu + Y; ≤4.8 wt. % REE2O3, ≤ 0.06 REE apfu), and Nb (up to 0.5 wt. % Nb2O5, ≤0.01 Nb apfu). Fluorine content is up to 0.5 wt. % (0.06 F apfu). The compositional variations indicate the following principal substitutions in titanite: REE3+ + Fe3+ = Ca2+ + Ti4+, 2REE3+ + Fe2+ = 2Ca2+ + Ti4+, and (Al, Fe)3+ + (OH, F)− = Ti4+ + O2−. The U–Pb SHRIMP dating of titanite reveal their Variscan ages in an interval of 351.0 ± 6.5 to 337.9 ± 6.1 Ma (Tournaisian to Visean); titanite U–Pb ages are thus ~5 to 19 Ma younger than the primary magmatic zircon of the host rocks. The Zr-in-titanite thermometry indicates a relatively high temperature range of titanite precipitation (~650–750 °C), calculated for assumed pressures of 0.2 to 0.4 GPa and a(TiO2) = 0.6–1.0. Consequently, the textural, geochronological and compositional data indicate relatively high-temperature, most probably early post-magmatic (subsolidus) precipitation of titanite. Such titanite origin could be connected with a subsequent Variscan tectono-thermal event (~340 ± 10 Ma), probably related with younger small granite intrusions and/or increased fluid activity. Moreover, some titanite crystals show partial alteration and formation of secondary titanite (depleted in Fe and REE) + allanite-(Ce) veinlets (Sihla tonalite, Veporic Unit), which probably reflects younger Alpine (Cretaceous) tectono-thermal overprint of the Variscan basement of the Western Carpathians.
Gender Differences in Predictors of Self-Medication with Tranquillizers and Sleeping Pills: Results of the Population-Based Study in Serbia

Abstract Background Previous studies among the Serbian population concluded that the trend of self-medication with tranquillizers and sleeping pills requires deeper study. The objective is to identify gender differences in socio-demographic, health, and health service predictors of self-medication with tranquillizers and sleeping pills in a Serbian population of 15 years old and above. Methods This was a population-based, cross-sectional study. Data was extracted from the most recently available results of the Serbian National Health Survey of 2013. Multivariate logistic regression was used to determine independent self-medication predictors. Results The study included 14,623 participants, of which 51.77% were female. While 5.6% of the females reported self-medication with tranquillizers and sleeping pills, only 2.2% of males reported such practice (p<0.001). The presence of chronic disease, stress, and physical pain in the last month before the interview was significantly associated with an increased likelihood of self-medication with observed drugs in both genders. Age was the most significant socio-demographic predictor of self-medication in females, while in males it was unemployment. Women of 55–65 years of age showed a greater risk from self-medication with tranquillizers and sleeping pills in comparison to women of 15–24 years of age (aOR=4.75, 95% CI: 1.83–12.33). Unemployed males showed a greater tendency for such practice in comparison to employed (aOR=1.86, 95% CI: 1.19–2.91). Conclusion The findings highlighted predictors of self-medication with tranquillizers and sleeping pills and important differences between genders, which may contribute to the design of gender-sensitive surveillance, identification, and the prevention of such undesirable practices through evidence-based and appropriately tailored public health actions.
An examination of the relationship between flexible work arrangements, work-family conflict, organizational commitment, and job performance

Summary Many employees are often faced with an inter-role conflict between work and that of a family in the U.S. However, business leaders and Human Resource Management (HRM) may not recognize the problem affecting white-collar employees. The purpose of this non-experimental quantitative study was to determine whether or not a relationship existed between employees’ use of flexible working arrangements as predictor variables (such as flexible work schedules and telecommuting) and work-family conflict and family-work conflict as covariate variables, and organizational outcomes (such as organizational commitment and job performance outcome variables). The self-reported survey data included 237 employees who have utilized flexible work arrangements in service organizations in the state of Texas. The inconclusive ANCOVA parametric data assumption resulted in further employ Kruskal-Wallis statistical analysis with less restrictive normality assumption The ANCOVA and Kruskal-Wallis analyses tests revealed a statistically significant result for employees’ use of flexible work options (a combination of flexible work schedules and telecommuting) to alleviate family-work conflict. The use of a single option (flexible work schedules or telecommuting) was statistically insignificant to employees. Despite the rigorous study, limitations are inevitable particularly for self-reported data and non-experimental study. The difficulty to determine the participants’ honesty unintentional misrepresentations reflected in the validity of the study (Hunter, 2012; Matsui et al., 2005). Nevertheless, the study provided insight information to organizational management not to overlook the use of flexible work arrangement practices to mitigate employees’ family-work conflict (Gözükara & Çolakoğlu, 2015) to achieve organizational outcomes. Future researchers should replicate this study to include flexible work arrangement users vs. non-flexible work arrangement employees in other states, regions, and industries.
Increasing the activity of DNAzyme based on the telomeric sequence: 2’-OMe-RNA and LNA modifications

Abstract 2’-OMe-RNA analogues and LNA point modifications of DNA oligonucleotides were applied for the modulation of the G-quadruplex topology and enhancement of peroxidase activity of the resulting DNAzymes. The effect of the 2’-OMe-RNA analogue was studied for full length modified oligonucleotides with various sequences. In the case of LNA-point modification, we have chosen a telomeric DNA sequence and investigated various numbers of modifications. Our main goal was to prove that the application of these modifications can influence the activity of DNAzyme, especially those, which normally form poor DNAzymes. As an example, we have chosen the telomeric HT22 sequence which is known to form DNAzyme characterized by low activity. In all cases, the DNAzymes formed by a telomeric sequence with the application of the 2’-OMe-RNA analogue as well as LNA-point modification, showed significantly higher peroxidase activity. We were also able to shift the formation of hybrid or antiparallel topology to parallel topology. These results are important for the development of probes for biological applications as well as for the design of probes based on DNA sequences that normally form DNAzymes with low activity. This paper also provides information on how the application of nucleotide analogues can transform the topology of G-quadruplexes.
Factors related to adverse mental health condition of demented family caregivers: A study in West Bengal, India

Abstract Dementia caregiving is a unique and the caregivers faces extreme challenges which affect care-giver’s mental health adversely. Family caregiving towards elderly individuals with dementia is becoming widespread. The study aims to evaluate the mental health status of dementia family caregivers and some related factors that affect their mental health condition. Present cross sectional study includes a total of 134 family caregivers. Socio-demographic and caregiving related data were collected using pre-tested questionnaires. Standardized questionnaires were used to collect data on caregivers’ mental health traits (measured in terms of level of stress and anxiety), level of psychosocial distress, support they provided and the care recipient’s behavioural symptoms associated with dementia. Mean age of the caregivers was 61.64 years (SD 13.89) while the care recipients were above 70 years of age. Mean age of care recipients was 75.46±7.26 years. Alzheimer’s type of dementia was the most common type found among them. Higher level of stress and anxiety was prevalent among the caregivers. Level of education, being a spouse, psychological distress has strong relationship with caregivers’ mental health condition. Behavioural abnormalities of care recipients were also responsible for poor mental health conditions of caregivers. Family caregiving is becoming the most suitable option nowadays and it associated with caregivers’ psychological distress and other health issues. Present study also revealed distressed mental health conditions of caregivers. Since care recipients remain dependent mostly on their family care-givers, it is necessary that caregivers should be fit mentally as well as physically. Therefore, proper support and management is needed for caregivers in near future.
Monitoring changes of the Antarctic Ice sheet by GRACE, ICESat and GNSS

Abstract In this study, we estimate the ice mass changes, the ice elevation changes and the vertical displacements in Antarctica based on analysis of multi-geodetic datasets that involve the satellite gravimetry (GRACE), the satellite altimetry (ICESat) and the global navigation satellite systems (GNSS). According to our estimates, the total mass change of the Antarctic ice sheet from GRACE data is −162.91 Gt/yr over the investigated period between April 2002 and June 2017. This value was obtained after applying the GIA correction of −98.12 Gt/yr derived from the ICE-5G model of the glacial iso-static adjustment. A more detailed analysis of mass balance changes for three individual drainage regions in Antarctica reveal that the mass loss of the West Antarctic ice sheet was at a rate of −143.11 Gt/yr. The mass loss of the Antarctic Peninsula ice sheet was at a rate of −24.31 Gt/yr. The mass of the East Antarctic ice sheet increased at a rate of 5.29 Gt/yr during the investigated period. When integrated over the entire Antarctic ice sheet, average rates of ice elevation changes over the period from March 2003 to October 2009 derived from ICESat data represent the loss of total ice volume of −155.6 km3.The most prominent features in ice volume changes in Antarctica are characterized by a strong dynamic thinning and ice mass loss in the Amundsen Sea Embayment that is part of the West Antarctic ice sheet. In contrast, coastal regions between Dronning Maud Land and Enderby Land exhibit a minor ice increase, while a minor ice mass loss is observed in Wilkes Land. The vertical load displacement rates estimated from GRACE and GPS data relatively closely agree with the GIA model derived based on the ice-load history and the viscosity profile. For most sites, the GRACE signal appears to be in phase and has the same amplitude as that obtained from the GPS vertical motions while other sites exhibit some substantial differences possibly attributed to thermo-elastic deformations associated with surface temperature.
Assessment the Creative Skills of Nursing Students and Nurses in the Intensive Care Units of Hospitals Covered by Tehran University of Medical Sciences

مقدمه: ارتقاء مهارت ­ های خلاقیت یکی از اهداف آموزش عالی جهت تربیت دانشجویان پرستاری است. از طرفی، ضرورت وجود پرستاران خلاق در بخش ­ های ویژه که مراقبت پیچیده ­ تر به بیماران شدیدا بدحال ارائه می­دهند، احساس می­شود؛ لذا این مطالعه با هدف تعیین و مقایسه سطح مهارت خلاقیت دانشجویان پرستاری و پرستاران شاغل در30 بخش مراقبت ویژه در بیمارستان­های تحت پوشش دانشگاه علوم پزشکی تهران در سال 1392 انجام شد. روش­ها: در این مطالعه مقطعی کلیه دانشجویان سال اول ( 131 نفر) و آخر پرستاری (126 نفر) به روش سرشماری و 150 نفر از پرستاران شاغل در بخش­های مراقبت ویژه به روش تصادفی ساده از بیمارستان­های تحت پوشش دانشگاه علوم پزشکی تهران در سال 1392 انتخاب شدند. جهت گردآوری داده­ها از آزمون خلاقیت عابدی استفاده شد. داده­ها با نرم افزار SPSS در سطح معنی­داری p P ) بود. همچنین تفاوت معنی­داری بین دانشجویان سال اول و سال چهارم (01/0> p )، سال اول و پرستاران شاغل (02/0= p ) و سال چهارم و پرستاران شاغل (01/0= p ) وجود داشت، به گونه­ای که میانگین امتیاز مهارت خلاقیت پرستاران شاغل از دانشجویان سال اول و چهارم بیشتر بود. نتیجه­ گیری: نتایج حاصل از این مطالعه نشان داد، مهارت خلاقیت در پرستاران شاغل در بخش­های ویژه بیشتر از دانشجویان و در دانشجویان سال آخر بیشتر از دانشجویان سال اول بود . پایین­تر بودن مهارت خلاقیت دانشجویان پرستاری در مقایسه با پرسنل پرستاری نشان دهنده لزوم تلاش برای ارتقای این مهارت با برنامه­ریزی در آموزش دانشجویان و بکارگیری روش­های تدریس نوین می­باشد.
Prices of works of art by living and deceased artists auctioned in Poland from 1989 to 2012

Abstract Art is increasingly perceived as an investment asset among investors in Poland. In order to achieve high rates of return it is crucial to identify the main factors affecting the value of the works of art in the art market. Death of the artist seems to be one of the essential determinants influencing art market prices. The main aim of the study is to examine if the artist’s living status (i.e. information whether the artist did or did not live when the transaction was held) affects the prices of the works of art. According to the findings the largest percentage of the works of art that showed a price increase between the first and second auction was in the group of artists alive at the time of the first sale and deceased at the time of the second sale in comparison with artists alive and deceased at the time of both transactions.
Physicochemical Characteristics and Nutritional Compositions of Some Date (Phoenix dactylifera L.) Fruit Cultivars

Abstract A comparative study was carried out for eight mature date fruit cultivars to assess physicochemical and nutritional values. Results showed that fruit and flesh weights and seed sizes indicated wide diversity among studied cultivars. The highest pH, acidity, and ash levels were obtained from Tazizaout and Oukasaba cultivars; protein contents varied from 0.47 (Tazizaout) to 0.31 g/100g DM (Delat), while free amino acids concentrations were found between 1.47 (Oukasaba) and 0.79 g/100g DM (Tazarzeit). Total carbohydrates were ranged from 96.28 to 84.51 g/100g DM. The date is low in fat, the highest concentration was 0.11 g/100g DM. Principal Component Analysis indicated that Ourous and Delat cultivars have specific characteristics and can be distinguished from the other cultivars.