Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Importance of Distinguishing Reactive and Proactive Aggression in Dementia Care

Aggressive behavior is one of the most disturbing symptoms of Alzheimer disease and other progressive neurodegenerative dementias. Development of strategies for management of aggressive behaviors in people with dementia is hindered by a lack of recognition that aggression is not a uniform behavioral construct. It is possible to distinguish 2 types of aggression: reactive or impulsive aggression and proactive or premeditated aggression. Research concerning aggressive behaviors in people with dementia is hindered by scales describing behavioral symptoms of dementia which do not distinguish between reactive and proactive aggressions because they do not consider the factors leading to these behaviors. Reactive aggression is caused by lack of understanding, leading to rejection of care, while proactive aggression could be caused by a psychopathic personality, hallucinations or delusions, and other determinants. It is difficult to underestimate the importance of distinguishing reactive and proactive aggressions in people with dementia because there are different strategies that can be used for management of these behaviors. For reactive aggression, delayed treatment, distraction, improved communication, and change in treatment strategy is useful, while antipsychotic medication may be needed for treatment of proactive aggression. Dementia is increasing the risk of both types of aggressions and antidepressant treatment can be helpful. Most importantly, persons exhibiting reactive aggression should not be labeled “aggressors” because this behavior could be caused by unmet persons’ needs, pain and poor communication with care providers.
Nanoparticle Detection by Aerosol Mass Spectrometry

An aerodynamic lens system with efficient transmission of particles in the 10-300 nm size range is used to study the efficiency of nanoparticle detection by laser ablation mass spectrometry with 193 nm and 266 nm radiation. Ideally, all particles in the beam path when the laser fires should be detected. However, the probability of particle detection is much less than 1 and dependent upon the particle type, defined by particle size and chemical composition, and the ablation conditions, defined by the laser wavelength and irradiance. Particles above 100 nm can be ablated and detected with near unit efficiency. Below 100 nm, the detection probability decreases with decreasing particle size and salt particles (sodium chloride, potassium chloride) are detected with higher efficiency than organic particles (oleic acid, 3-nitrobenzyl alcohol). The results are discussed in relation to the mechanism of laser ablation and the instrumental requirements for particle detection.
Mix‐planting pubescent and glabrous cassava affects abundance of Typhlodromalus aripo and its prey mite Mononychellus tanajoa

There is an increasing awareness that vegetation diversity can affect herbivore and natural enemy abundance and that plants can play a major role in directly manipulating natural enemy abundance for protection against herbivore attacks. Using data from cassava fields, we aimed at (i) testing the capacity of the predatory mite Typhlodromalus aripo to control the herbivorous mite Mononychellus tanajoa in a chemical exclusion trial; and (ii) testing, based on the differential preference by T. aripo for cassava cultivars, how combinations of two morphologically different cassava cultivars with differential suitability to the predator can improve its population densities on the non‐favourable cultivar, thereby reducing M. tanajoa densities with subsequent increases in cassava yield. The study was conducted in a cassava field in Benin, West Africa. The experiments confirmed that T. aripo effectively suppresses M. tanajoa populations on both cultivars and showed, in the no‐predator‐exclusion experiments, that cultivar combinations have significant effects on M. tanajoa and T. aripo densities. Indeed, T. aripo load on the non‐preferred cultivar was lowest in subplots where the proportion of T. aripo‐preferred cultivar was also low, while, and as expected, M. tanajoa load on the non‐preferred cultivar showed decreasing trends with increasing T. aripo densities. The possible mechanisms by which cultivar mixing could increase predator load on the non‐favourable cultivar were discussed. Our data showed that appropriate cultivar combinations effectively compensate for morphologically related differences in natural enemy abundance on a normally predator‐deficient cultivar, resulting in lower pest densities on the non‐favourable cultivar. In practical terms, this strategy could, in part, enhance adoption of cultivars that do not support sufficient levels of natural enemies for pest control.
Kudu foraging behaviour: influenced by animal density?

In deciduous savanna a marked decline in browse availability characterises the late dry season and apparently regulates populations of large browser species such as kudu. The dry season utilisation patterns of two woody species, Acacia tortilis and Boscia albitrunca, in two comparable sites but subjected to different kudu densities, were studied to determine if kudu adapt their feeding behaviour in response to animal density. Shoots of plants in the high-density area were vertically more uniformly utilised compared to shoots in the low-density area where browsing was more intense in certain height strata. Thicker shoots were selected in the high-density area and smaller plants selected than in the low-density area. It is concluded that kudu feeding behaviour during the dry season was significantly altered as a result of animal density differences. It is suggested that a high browsing pressure during times of low browse availability probably affects the productivity and recruitment of critical resources and questions the sustainability of such systems.
The structure and reactivity of the HoxEFU complex from the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803

Cyanobacterial Hox is a [NiFe] hydrogenase that consists of the hydrogen (H2)-activating subunits HoxYH, which form a complex with the HoxEFU assembly to mediate reactions with soluble electron carriers like NAD(P)H and ferredoxin (Fdx), thereby coupling photosynthetic electron transfer to energy-transforming catalytic reactions. Researchers studying the HoxEFUYH complex have observed that HoxEFU can be isolated independently of HoxYH, leading to the hypothesis that HoxEFU is a distinct functional subcomplex rather than an artifact of Hox complex isolation. Moreover, outstanding questions about the reactivity of Hox with natural substrates and the site(s) of substrate interactions and coupling of H2, NAD(P)H, and Fdx remain to be resolved. To address these questions, here we analyzed recombinantly produced HoxEFU by electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy and kinetic assays with natural substrates. The purified HoxEFU subcomplex catalyzed electron transfer reactions among NAD(P)H, flavodoxin, and several ferredoxins, thus functioning in vitro as a shuttle among different cyanobacterial pools of reducing equivalents. Both Fdx1-dependent reductions of NAD+ and NADP+ were cooperative. HoxEFU also catalyzed the flavodoxin-dependent reduction of NAD(P)+, Fdx2-dependent oxidation of NADH and Fdx4- and Fdx11-dependent reduction of NAD+. MS-based mapping identified an Fdx1-binding site at the junction of HoxE and HoxF, adjacent to iron-sulfur (FeS) clusters in both subunits. Overall, the reactivity of HoxEFU observed here suggests that it functions in managing peripheral electron flow from photosynthetic electron transfer, findings that reveal detailed insights into how ubiquitous cellular components may be used to allocate energy flow into specific bioenergetic products.
Socioeconomic Inequalities in Small-for-Gestational-Age Births Before and During the Economic Crisis: An Ecologic Study of Trends in 13 Spanish Cities

Economic recessions can increase socioeconomic inequalities in health. The objective of this study was to analyze socioeconomic inequalities in small-for-gestational-age (SGA) births before and during the Spanish economic crisis. We conducted an ecological study of trends based on 2 periods before the crisis (1999–2003 and 2004–2008) and another during the crisis (2009–2013). The study population was Spanish women resident in 13 cities who had given birth during 1999–2013. The prevalence of SGA was calculated for each census tract. A hierarchical Bayesian model was used to obtain the prevalence ratio (PR) and 95% credible intervals (CI). We analyzed the association between SGA and socioeconomic deprivation in each period for each city and for 3 age groups. The PR was above 1 and statistically significant for all 3 time periods in most of the 13 cities. The differences in PR between periods were only statistically significant for Madrid (PR = 1.56, 95% CI 1.48–1.65 for 1999–2003; PR = 1.28, 95% CI 1.19–1.38 for 2004–2008) and Barcelona (PR = 0.99, 95% CI 0.87–1.12 for 2004–2008; PR = 1.20, 95% CI 1.05–1.36 for 2009–2013). Socioeconomic inequalities in SGA births in small areas (census tracts) of most Spanish cities studied remained stable before and during the economic crisis.
Assessing Climate Change Impacts and Risks on Three Salt Lakes in Western Victoria, Australia

ABSTRACT Salt lakes are significant landscape features in Australia. The three studied lakes, in particular, are recognized as being of national (Gnotuk) and international significance (Keilambete, Bullenmerri) for their ecological, social, and scientific values. The lake levels have been declining since the mid-1800s, the likely cause being a natural climate-driven decrease in precipitation and increase in evaporation. With the prospect of human-induced climate change further altering regional climate, this article presents a framework and results for assessing the impacts and risks of climate change on lake levels and salinity. A lake water balance model was applied with the inputs of climate observations and modeled future climate variables. The latter are generated from 14 general circulation model simulations used in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Fourth Assessment Report. The resulting scenarios represent the range of likely outcomes of regional climate under enhanced greenhouse conditions to year 2100. Models project that all lake levels are likely to continue to decline, with the declines for Bullenmerri expected to exceed those of the other two lakes. The salinity in the lakes is likely to increase, with the rate of increase likely to become more rapid over time. Some implications of these findings are discussed.
Parallelization of the Simplex Method Based on the OpenMP Technology

In this work we propose a parallelization of the simplex method based on the technology of parallel programming OpenMP, which is used for solving linear programming problems. The advantages of this approach are to improve acceleration and efficiency. This, in turn, is important when processing large data. The obtained results of the parallel algorithm were compared with the conventional simplex method. Application of this method is important considering modern trends of multi-core architecture of processors. Also in this work was used such feature as multithreading. The proposed parallelization al-gorithm is easily scaled to a different number of processor cores. Without loss of generality, the example of solving the problem of distribution of cars be-tween the freight fronts of the railway station have been carried out a number of numerical experiments. Data analysis showed that with increasing the number of threads and cores achieve the maximum performance of a program that implements a parallelization of the simplex method. These findings are depicted as bar charts.
Density functional theory study on adsorption of L-cysteine by Y, Zr, Nb, Mo-doped graphenes

The adsorption properties of l-cysteine (L-cys) on [Kr] 4d1−4 (Y-Mo) doped graphenes with single and double vacancies are studied using density functional theory calculations with dispersion correction. The results showed that Y, Zr, Nb and Mo doped single-vacancy and double-vacancy graphenes show chemical adsorption characteristics towards L-cys. For the respective S, O and N-end adsorption, the binding strengths of L-cys on XSVs decrease from Y to Nb, and then increase. The binding strengths of L-cys on XDVs have no regular trend. Nb-doped graphene exhibits the most stable adsorption characteristics in the [Kr] 4d1−4 element series, which is independent of the vacancy type. Zr-doped single and double vacancy graphene sensors have higher sensitivity than Y, Nb, Mo.
Marker-assisted introgression of lpa2 locus responsible for low-phytic acid trait into an elite tropical maize inbred (Zea mays L.)

Maize is an important food and feed crop worldwide. Phytic acid (PA), in maize kernel, is an antinutritional factor. PA chelates mineral cations and causes mineral deficiency in humans and phosphorous deficiency in animals. The undigested PA excreted by monogastric animals causes phosphorous eutrophication. Therefore, development of low-phytate maize is indispensable. The low-phytate locus (lpa2 allele) has been transferred from low-phytate mutant line ‘EC 659418’ into an elite inbred UMI 395 through marker-assisted backcross breeding (MABB). The MABB involved three backcrosses followed by two selfing steps, including ‘foreground selection’, that is, selecting lines with lpa2 allele with the help of a codominant SSR marker ‘umc2230’ and ‘background selection’, that is, selecting plants having genetic background similar to that of the recurrent parent using 50 codominant SSR markers. Two low-phytate lpa2 lines with genome similar (>90% similarity) to that of recurrent parent have been identified. These lines can be used as parent in future hybridization programmes for obtaining low-phytate high-yielding maize hybrids.
Regulation of kinesin-1 activity by the Salmonella enterica effectors PipB2 and SifA

ABSTRACT Salmonella enterica is an intracellular bacterial pathogen. The formation of its replication niche, which is composed of a vacuole associated with a network of membrane tubules, depends on the secretion of a set of bacterial effector proteins whose activities deeply modify the functions of the eukaryotic host cell. By recruiting and regulating the activity of the kinesin-1 molecular motor, Salmonella effectors PipB2 and SifA play an essential role in the formation of the bacterial compartments. In particular, they allow the formation of tubules from the vacuole and their extension along the microtubule cytoskeleton, and thus promote membrane exchanges and nutrient supply. We have developed in vitro and in cellulo assays to better understand the specific role played by these two effectors in the recruitment and regulation of kinesin-1. Our results reveal a specific interaction between the two effectors and indicate that, contrary to what studies on infected cells suggested, interaction with PipB2 is sufficient to relieve the autoinhibition of kinesin-1. Finally, they suggest the involvement of other Salmonella effectors in the control of the activity of this molecular motor. This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper. Summary: The kinesin-1 motor protein plays a key role in controlling the membrane exchanges necessary for the intracellular survival of Salmonella. The complexity of kinesin-1 regulation by Salmonella effector proteins is highlighted.
Species Packing in Desmognathus Salamanders: Experimental Demonstration of Predation and Competition

Five years ago, experiments were proposed to determine whether competition or predation is the principal ecological factor in the organization of the community of Desmognathus salamanders. The experiments were conducted in the Nantahala Mountains of North Carolina over a four-year period, 1981-1984. There were four species present: D. quadramaculatus, the largest and most aquatic; D. monticola, the next largest, a stream-bank species; D. ochrophaeus, smaller and largely terrestrial; and D. aeneus, the smallest and most terrestrial of the four. A block design of replicate plots along streams was used. Removing a smaller species (D. ochrophaeus) was expected to cause an increase in the D. monticola or D. quadramaculatus populations only if competition were the important interaction. Removing D. monticola individuals was expected to increase the abundance of D. ochrophaeus, whether competition or predation was important, but it would increase D. quadramaculatus numbers only in the case of competition. The outcome largely supported the hypothesis that predation is the important organizing force. When D. ochrophaeus individuals were removed, the abundance of both larger species decreased significantly, relative to their abundance on control plots. Removing D. monticola salamanders led to the expected increase in the abundance of D. ochrophaeus, thus completing the predictions of the predation hypothesis. There was a small but statistically significant increase in the numbers of D. quadramaculatus, a result that confirmed the existence of competition. I conclude that D. monticola and D. quadramaculatus compete for food and that D. ochrophaeus is an important item in their diets. The importance of experimentation and prior publication of research designs is stressed.
Interaction of bone and brain: osteocalcin and cognition

Abstract Introduction Bone has conventionally been considered to be a passive organ that only receives external control, but according to recent findings, it has become clear that bone is an endocrine organ that actively regulates systemic metabolism through osteocalcin (OC). Methods We focus on the relationship between the brain and bone and summarize the effects of OC on cognitive function as well as the association between OC and improved cognitive function through exercise. Results The findings suggest that the decrease in OC produced by bone is responsible for the decrease in cognitive function associated with aging. Furthermore, positive effect of improving cognitive function can generally be recognized in exercise interventions conducted for healthy elderly people and those with MCI, and moderate exercise is particularly effective for dementia prevention. Conclusion The improving bone health with aging may exert beneficial effects on cognition.
Optimizing Hydroxyl Radical Footprinting Analysis of Biotherapeutics using Internal Standard Dosimetry.

Hydroxyl radical footprinting-mass spectrometry (HRF-MS) is a powerful technique for measuring protein structure by quantitating the solvent accessibility of amino acid side-chains; and when used in comparative analysis, HRF-MS data can provide detailed information on changes in protein structure. However, consistently controlling the amount of hydroxyl radical labeling of a protein requires the precise understanding of both the amount of radicals generated and half-life of the radicals in solution. The latter is particularly important for applications such as protein-protein and protein-ligand interactions, which may have different characteristics such as intrinsic reactivity and buffer components, which can cause differences in radical scavenging (termed "scavenging potential") between samples. To address this inherent challenge with HRF-MS analysis, we describe the comprehensive implementation of an internal standard (IS) dosimeter peptide leucine enkephalin (LeuEnk) for measuring the scavenging potential of pharmaceutically relevant proteins and formulation components. This further enabled evaluation of the critical method parameters affecting the scavenging potential of samples subjected to HRF-MS using Fast Photochemical Oxidation of Proteins (FPOP). We demonstrate a direct correlation between the oxidation of the IS peptide and biotherapeutic target proteins, and show the oxidation of the IS can be used as a guide for ensuring equivalent scavenging potentials when comparing multiple samples. Establishing this strategy enables optimization of sample parameters, a system suitability approach, normalization of data, and comparison/harmonization of HRF-MS analysis across different laboratories.
Satellite inventory of human settlements using nocturnal radiation emissions: a contribution for the global toolchest

Time series data from the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) Operational Linescan System (OLS) have been used to derive georeferenced inventories of human settlements for Europe, North and South America, and Asia. The visible band of the OLS is intensified at night, permitting detection of nocturnal visible‐near infrared emissions from cities, towns, and villages. The time series analysis makes it possible to eliminate ephemeral VNIR emission sources such as fire and to normalize for differences in the number of cloud‐free observations. An examination of the area lit (km2) for 52 countries indicates the OLS derived products may be used to perform the spatial apportionment of population and energy related greenhouse gas emissions.
Molecular Identification of Spoilage Fungi Isolated from Fruit and Vegetables and Their Control with Chitosan

This study investigated fungal spoilage of fruits and vegetables in Saudi Arabia. Activities of cell wall degrading enzymes in fungal isolates were measured. We evaluated the fungicidal activities of chitosan against spoilage fungi. Thirty-three fungal species belonged to 21 fungal genera were collected during this study. ITS sequencing results showed that Alternaria tenuissima, Fusarium chlamydosporum, Penicillium sumatrens, Rhizopus stolonifera, and Trichoderma harzianum were the most common species. The diversity of cell wall degrading enzyme produced by the spoilage fungi revealed that xylanase was the most widely distributed enzyme in fungi followed by amylase and cellulase. Some strains of Macrophomina phaseolina, Trichoderma harzianum, Trichoderma asperellum, Aspergillus niger and Alternaria consortialis showed the highest enzymes activities among tested fungi. Four different concentrations of chitosan (20, 30, 50, and 100 mg/L) were investigated against 22 fungal species. All investigated concentrations of chitosan showed highly significant reduction in the average of radial growth of all tested fungi.
Exosome‐mediated effects and applications in inflammatory bowel disease

Gut mucosal barriers, including chemical and physical barriers, spatially separate the gut microbiota from the host immune system to prevent unwanted immune responses that could lead to intestinal inflammation. In inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), there is mucosal barrier dysfunction coupled with immune dysregulation and dysbiosis. The discovery of exosomes as regulators of vital functions in both physiological and pathological processes has generated much research interest. Interestingly, exosomes not only serve as natural nanocarriers for the delivery of functional RNAs, proteins, and synthetic drugs or molecules, but also show potential for clinical applications in tissue repair and regeneration as well as disease diagnosis and prognosis. Biological or chemical modification of exosomes can broaden, change and enhance their therapeutic capability. We review the modulatory effects of exosomal proteins, RNAs and lipids on IBD components such as immune cells, the gut microbiota and the intestinal mucosal barrier. Mechanisms involved in regulating these factors towards attenuating IBD have been explored in several studies employing exosomes derived from different sources. We discuss the potential utility of exosomes as diagnostic markers and drug delivery systems, as well as the application of modified exosomes in IBD.