Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The influence of orally administered docosahexaenoic acid on monoamine neurotransmitter, nerve growth factor, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor in aged mice

In this study we attempt to investigate the new role of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) supplementation on cognitive ability in aged mice. Kunming-line mice were treated with DHA (200, 400 mg/kg body weight/day) for 30 successive days. The cognitive ability of mice was assessed by learning and memory behavioral test; the levels of DHA were assessed by capillary gas chromatography; the levels of dopamine (DA), norepinephrine (NE), and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) were assessed by high-performance liquid chromatography; the levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and nerve growth factor (NGF) proteins were assessed by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. The results showed the cognitive ability of mice were significantly different between the DHA-treated groups and the aged group, and orally administered DHA can increase the levels of DA, NE and 5-HT, the content of BDNF and NGF proteins in hippocampus, frontal cortex and striatum tissues. In addition, aged-related changes in phospholipid DHA content were seen. Decreases in DHA were mostly corrected by DHA supplementation. These novel data suggest that DHA supplementation can improve the cognitive dysfunction due to aging by increasing the levels of BDNF and NGF protein and the levels of DA, NE, 5-HT to some extent. We speculate that the mechanism of DHA on cognitive ability may have a beneficial effect on signaling networks through modulation of monoamine neurotransmitters and neurotrophic factors in brain aging.
SEVERITY OF INFECTION OF MOROCCAN BARLEY YELLOW DWARF VIRUS PAV ISOLATES CORRELATES WITH VARIABILITY IN THEIR COAT PROTEIN SEQUENCES

Summary Biological properties and deduced amino acid sequences of the overlapping coat and 17kDa proteins were compared for 12 barley yellow dwarf virus PAV-type isolates collected at different locations in Morocco. The biological variability of the 12 isolates was investigated by inoculation to a set of as many as eight barley cultivars and an oat cultivar. Significant biological variability was observed among the Moroccan PAV–type isolates, with the isolates falling into two clusters. Cluster 1 contained isolates MA9501, MA9502, MA9504, MA9512 and MA9513, and cluster 2 the MA9415, MA9505, MA9508, MA9511, MA9514, MA9516 and MA9517. Isolates of cluster 2 produced more severe symptoms and stunting than did those of cluster 1 when inoculated to appropriate index plants. In parallel, the nucleic acid sequences were obtained for the region containing the cistron coding for the coat protein (CP) and 17 kDa protein for all 12 isolates by reverse transcription followed by the polymerase chain reaction. Sequence homology grouping yielded the same two clusters of the isolates as found by measuring biological variability. Comparisons of the CP sequences between the two clusters revealed 87.4% to 90.5% nucleotide identity and 82.6% to 87.6% amino acid identity. Comparison with other sequenced isolates demonstrated that the CP's of cluster 1 were closely related to the Australian (Vic-PAV), the North American (NY–PAV, P–PAV), and Japanese (JPN–PAV) PAV–type isolates. The CP's of cluster 2, on the other hand, were closely related to the North American PAV–129 isolate. Finally, an RFLP test on CP gene–derived PCR products has been developed which distinguishes between the two clusters of the PAV–type isolates.
Quality of life of frail elderly users of the primary care Qualidade de vida de idoso fragilizado da atenção primária

Objective: Identifying the quality of life of frail elderly patients, users of primary care services. Methods: A cross-sectional, quantitative study. The sample size was calculated based on the estimate of population proportion and consisted of 203 elderly. Data were collected by using a questionnaire of physical activity for the elderly, fatigue/exhaustion, quality of life, and by carrying out a test of gait speed, handgrip strength and anthropometric measurement. Results: Among the 203 seniors, 39 were fragile. The mean scores for quality of life presented by the frail elderly were the following: 60.4 for pain, functional capacity 61.1, limitations due to physical aspects 71.1, general state of health 71.4, vitality 75, mental health 76.4, emotional aspects 81.1 and social aspects 85.6. Conclusion: The dimensions of quality of life of the frail elderly that had lower mean scores were pain, functional capacity, limitations due to physical aspects and general state of health. Resumo Objetivo: Identificar a qualidade de vida de idosos frageis usuarios da atencao primaria. Metodos: Estudo quantitativo transversal. A amostra foi calculada com base na estimativa da proporcao populacional e constituida por 203 idosos. Os dados foram coletados mediante questionario de nivel de atividade fisica para idosos, fadiga/exaustao, qualidade de vida e realizacao de teste de velocidade da marcha, forca de preensao manual e medicao antropometrica. Resultados: Dos 203 idosos, 39 deles eram frageis. As medias de qualidade de vida apresentadas pelos idosos frageis foram: 60,4 para dor, 61,1 capacidade funcional, 71,1 limitacoes por aspectos fisicos, 71,4 estado geral de saude, 75 vitalidade, 76,4 saude mental, 81,1 aspectos emocionais e 85,6 aspectos sociais. Conclusao: As dimensoes da qualidade de vida dos idosos frageis que apresentaram menores medias foram dor, capacidade funcional, limitacoes por aspectos fisicos e estado geral de saude.
Spatial-temporal dynamics of population structure for macro invertebrates families in a continuum dam - effluent - river in irrigated system. Volta Basin

A monthly sampling of benthic macro invertebrates was carried out at the hydro-agricultural dam of Boura in the Volta watershed basin (Burkina) during the period of February through July 2012 in order to describe the structuring of insect succession along with changes occurring in habitats of this irrigated dam farming system. The samples of insects were collected from 6 stations located inside the littoral (Station I), the sublittoral (Station II), the sewage channel or effluent (Stations III, IV, V) and the Mouhoun River (Station VI). The sampling method employed is a conventional method by the European Union named " Directive Cadre sur l’Eau (DCE) " recommended for the survey of benthic macro invertebrates. The survey reveals a community composed majorly of insects (more than 75%) variously distributed. On one hand at the shoreline and the coastal- adjoining zone in the dam, 23 families of macro invertebrates were identified; mostly belonging to the shoreline except for 10 families identified as endemic to the adjoining zone of the coastline. These two zones of the dam shelter the same malacological fauna consisting of the Unionidae, Lymneidae, Ampullariidae, Planorbidae, Valvatidae and Bulinidae families. The survey reveals otherwise that the differences between the Shannon biological diversity indices for these two zones were more pronounced during the month of July, the rainy period in the basin. On the other hand, concerning the dameffluent-river continuum, a total of 35 families are sampled: 27 from dam water and stations near the irrigated zones; and 32 from the station of the sewage channel far from the irrigated zone and the river. The identification of individuals belonging to the family of the Baetidae and the Ephemerellidae (order of Ephemeroptera) in the river water highlights a subsequent reconstruction of the biodiversity in the river as the presence of both families is an indicator of fertile water. Further analysis on the spatial and temporal distribution involved 17 families out of the 35 sampled not common to all habitats. This lead to the conclusion that changes in natural habitats dictate the clustering patterns of macro invertebrates populations during the year long.
Spatial and Temporal Patterns of Temperature Change in Southeast Asia and Australia

In this study, we focus on surface temperature variation involving correlation in both time and space in Southeast Asia and Australia from 1973 to 2008. The area comprised 54 regions of 10 o by 10 o grid-boxes in latitudes 35°S to 25°N and longitudes 65°E to 160°E. The data were filtered with a second order autoregressive process to remove autocorrelations between temperature lags. Factor analysis was then used to account for spatial correlation between grid-boxes yielding six contiguous geographic regions. A fit of trend of each region by simple linear model showed that temperature averages in these six regions have increased gradually, ranging from 0.091 to 0.240 o C per decade. Keywords: Southeast Asia, climate change, time series analysis, spatial correlation, autocorrelations, factor analysis
Bacterial uptake of low molecular weight organics in the subtropical Atlantic: Are major phylogenetic groups functionally different?

We present measurements of glucose, amino acids, and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) bacterial uptake at tracer concentrations across an oceanic gradient from the Cape Blanc upwelling to the Northeast Atlantic subtropical gyre. The bulk uptake of the compounds increased in the upwelling, with amino acids being the most actively taken up substrate (up to 20 pmol L−1 h−1). The single‐cell activity of the bacterial groups also increased in the upwelling, particularly for Rhodobacteraceae (up to 94% of active cells), but this group had low activity in oligotrophic waters (< 10% of active cells), which suggests it is exclusively adapted to high‐nutrient conditions. The percentage of SAR11 active cells was relatively high in the upwelling area, particularly for glucose and amino acid uptake (up to 53% of active cells), which suggests that some members of this group are also adapted to nutrient‐rich environments. Of the broad phylogenetic groups tested, Bacteroidetes were the least active and Alpha‐ and Gammaproteobacteria showed similar percentages of active cells in amino acid uptake (∼ 30%). Alphaproteobacteria had the highest percent of cells involved in glucose uptake, while Gammaproteobacteria dominated ATP uptake. This general pattern was confirmed in a broader analysis that included data from contrasting marine environments, which suggests that major phylogenetic groups of bacteria participate differently in the turnover of these low‐molecular‐weight organics. Our results support the view that broad phylogenetic groups can be identified within the bacterial ‘black box’ with different patterns in the cycling of organic matter. Analyzing them may help us understand, and ultimately predict, oceanic carbon processing.
Nutrient limitation in species‐rich Calthion grasslands in relation to opportunities for restoration in a peat meadow landscape

Questions: Which nutrient(s) limit(s) vegetation productivity in Calthion grasslands? Is phosphorus release a bottleneck for restoration of species-rich Calthion grasslands on rewetted dairy meadows? Location: Three species-rich Calthion grasslands in the Western Peat District in the Netherlands. Methods: We conducted a field fertilization experiment with nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) in three existing Calthion grasslands to evaluate the potential for restoration on rewetted dairy meadows. Responses of above-ground biomass, tissue nutrient concentrations and nutrient ratios were determined after 2 yr of fertilization. Results: Biomass increased with fertilization with Nonly and K-only but did not react to P-only additions. Comparisons of tissue nutrient concentrations and nutrient ratios also gave indications of N and K limitation. Conclusions: The strong P release expected after rewetting should not necessarily interfere with restoration of Calthion communities on rewetted dairy meadows. It is concluded that for successful restoration management measures should focus on reducing N and/or K availability. Potassium might be an overlooked bottleneck in the restoration of species-rich grasslands.
GENDER-BASED DIFFERENCES IN SCHOOL-AGED CHILDREN'S DIVERGENT THINKING

This study examines whether the shortage of females in science and engineering is linked to possible gender-based differences in school-aged children’s divergent thinking. Divergent thinking is a direct measure of creativity and an important characteristic in science and engineering. A survey instrument designed to measure divergent thinking was administered to 8th and 11th graders in a mid-western United States school district. Results showed that there were no difference between girls and boys on the three measures of divergent thinking: fluency, flexibility, and originality. These results indicate little reason as to why participation in science and engineering is male dominated, and support the notion that additional exposure to science and engineering through divergent-thinking activities will provide girls with the self-knowledge that they are capable of solving open-ended problems and engineering tasks.
Developing Team Creativity: The Influence of Psychological Safety and Relation-Oriented Shared Leadership

This study examines the effects of a psychosocially safe environment and two types of shared leadership on project team creativity. We focused on specific dimensions of shared leadership to examine their association with creative outcomes. To measure the dimensions, we conducted a survey of 260 graduate and undergraduate students working in project teams at a large Southwestern university. We found that a psychologically safe environment enabled team members to perform task-oriented and relation-oriented tasks. However, only relation-oriented shared leadership positively influenced team creativity. Based on our findings, we provided research and practical implications, as well as study limitations and future research suggestions.
DNA Microarrays: A Molecular Cloning Manual.

This first edition of the book on DNA microarrays is a welcome addition to a series of laboratory manuals published by the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press over the past two decades. It perpetuates a tradition of practical laboratory guides, which started with the famous guide by Maniatis on Molecular Cloning in the mid-80s, followed by volumes dedicated to other subjects, such as Antibodies (1988), Genome Analysis (1997), and several model organisms.
Experience and challenges of care of post kidney transplant patients in a resource poor non-transplant center

Background: In recent times a number of privileged end stage kidney disease patients from the sub-Saharan African countries embark on off-shore kidney transplant to other continents, mostly India. Non-transplant renal units in the region are increasingly faced with the long term care of such patients with inherent challenges. We present our experience and challenges of providing care for such patients at the University of Port Harcourt teaching hospital in Nigeria. Objective: To determine the outcomes and challenges of care of off-shore live-donor post-transplant patients in a non-transplant center. Methods: Retrospective analysis of the clinical data of all post- kidney transplant patients from 2000 to 2015 was done. Results: Twenty live-donor post-transplant patients with M/F ratio of 3:1 and a mean age of 42.6 Â± 8.3 (26-57) years were studied. 95% had their kidney transplant in India. Mean pre-transplant e-GFR was 8.4 Â± 2.4 mls/min/1.73 m2 while at point of entry, post-transplant was 72.6 Â± 29 ml/min/1.73 m2 (p 0.5). Conclusion: The overall outcome of post-transplant patients in our centre is poor. There is need for capacity building of non-transplant renal units in resource poor jurisdictions, to provide more effective care for post-transplant patients and ensure better long term outcomes.
Genetic population structure in the boky‐boky (Carnivora: Eupleridae), a conservation flagship species in the dry deciduous forests of central western Madagascar

The boky‐boky, Mungotictis decemlineata, is an endemic and presumed forest‐dependent carnivoran species restricted to lowland central western Madagascar. It inhabits dry deciduous forests, which have been severely reduced in surface area with ∼60% destroyed or degraded by humans during the past 60 years. M. decemlineata is limited to the remnant forests of the central and southern Menabe, and using samples collected from sites across this zone, a phylogeographic study was conducted based on two mitochondrial (1140 base pairs [bp] of cytochrome b and 563 bp of the control region) and one nuclear fragment (591 bp of the seventh intron of the fibrinogen gene). Forty‐seven individuals were included from the central Menabe from four principal localities and two animals from the southern Menabe from a single locality. Low sequence divergence (1.65% for the combined fragment, 4.26% for the control region and 0.78% for cytochrome b) characterized specimens across a zone of 130 km delimited by the Tsiribihina River to the north and the Mangoky River to the south; this area includes most of the geographical range of M. decemlineata. Phylogenetic trees, haplotype networks and exact test of population differentiation did not reveal any meaningful geographic partitioning of genetic variation. However, shallow yet significant genetic structure was revealed by ΦST calculations for the combined as well as separate DNA fragments, which we ascribe to isolation‐by‐distance. We proposed two different scenarios to explain the lack of meaningful phylogeographical structure in Mungotictis: (1) for this forest‐dependent species, dispersal during periods of more continuous forest cover gave rise to a genetic meta‐population or (2) that it is able to cross non‐forested zones and broadly disperses, leading to high levels of genetic homogeneity. Current inferences favour the first hypothesis. The short‐ and medium‐term future of this taxon is in jeopardy associated with habitat destruction across its geographical range.
Health Care in a Multipayer System: the Effects of Health Care Service Demand Among Adults Under 65 on Utilization and Outcomes in Medicare

Doctors and hospitals in the United States serve patients covered by many types of insurance. This overlap in the supply of health care services means that changes in the prices paid or the volume of services demanded by one group of patients may affect other patient groups. This paper examines how marginal shifts in the demand for services among the adult population under 65 (specifically, factors that affect the uninsurance rate) affect use in the Medicare population. I provide a simple theoretical framework for understanding how changes in the demand for care among adults under 65 may affect Medicare spending. I then examine how two demand factors-recent coverage eligibility changes for parents and the firm size composition of employment-affect insurance coverage among adults under 65 and how these factors affect per beneficiary Medicare spending. Factors that contribute to reductions in uninsurance rates are associated with contemporaneous decreases in per beneficiary Medicare spending, particularly in high variation Medicare services. Reductions in the demand for medical services among adults below age 65 are not associated with reductions in the total quantity of physician services supplied. The increased Medicare utilization that accompanies lower demand among those under 65 has few, if any, benefits for Medicare patients.
Deep Graph Convolutional Neural Networks Identify Frontoparietal Control and Default Mode Network Contributions to Mental Imagery

: Brain network connectivity has been characterized during a variety of tasks and neurological/psychiatric diseases. Recently, various machine learning methods, including artificial neural networks, have used connectivity measures to predict cognitive or disease state. One area where these methods could be useful is in the prognosis of patients with disorders of consciousness (DOC). Previous work has used mental imagery tasks to assess DOC patient volitional ability, however no work has focused on incorporating machine learning methods to automatically detect awareness in these patients. The present study aims to establish a baseline for these methods in classifying mental imagery states. We developed a graph convolutional network classifier that can distinguish between mental imagery states in healthy subjects using only functional connectivity data. Furthermore, we examined whether certain large scale brain networks were more predictive than others, and found that frontoparietal control and default mode networks were most predictive of whether a participant was performing a mental imagery task or resting. These results demonstrate that graph convolutional networks could be developed to aid in detection of awareness in DOC patients and show that changes in connectivity patterns in frontoparietal control and default mode networks underlie alterations in mental imagery.
Video Recommendation System for YouTube Considering Users Feedback

Youtube is the most video sharing and viewing platform in the world. As there are many people of different tastes, hundreds of categories of videos can be found on YouTube while thousands of videos of each. So, when the site recommends videos for a user it takes some issues which fill the needs of the user. Most of the time a user watches videos related to the previously watched video. But sometimes user’s mood changes with time or weather. A user may not hear a song in the whole year but can search the song on a rainy day. Another case a user may watch some types of videos at day but another type of videos at night or another at midnight. In this paper, we propose a recommendation system considering some attributes like weather, time, month to understand the dynamic mood of a user. Each attribute is assigned a weight calculated by performing a survey on some YouTube users.
Rice trade between Cambodia and the Greater Mekong Sub-Region: Thailand, Vietnam and China.

This paper examines the rice trade between Cambodia and the Greater Mekong Sub-Region (GMS) countries: Thailand, Vietnam and China based on a gravity model and time series data from 2000 to 2013. The estimations indicate that economic size, market size, exchange rate and distance of Cambodia and the GMS countries play important role in rice trade between Cambodia and these GMS countries. History and other dummies; however, do not seem to lead the rice trade. The results of gravity model are also applied to calculate the rice trade potential between Cambodia and the GMS countries. It shows that Cambodia’s rice trade with the GMS countries has considerable room for growth.
Comparison Of Canonical Correlation Analysis And The Generalized Canonical Correlation Analysis Using The Lognormal And Cauchy Distributed Data

This work compares the Canonical Correlation Analysis and Generalized Canonical Correlation Analysis for two data sets using Lognormal and Cauchy distributions. Data of different sample sizes (10, 20, 30, 40 and 50) were simulated and used to perform the analysis. Their relative efficiencies were calculated and it was discovered to be the same for two data sets except for scaling. Keywords : Relative efficiency, Scaling, Canonical Correlation Analysis, Generalized Canonical Correlation Analysis, Lognormal, Cauchy