Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Diet with a High Proportion of Rice Alters Profiles and Potential Function of Digesta-Associated Microbiota in the Ileum of Goats

Simple Summary Our study provided a detailed picture of the ileal microbiota related to a high-concentrate diet and showed that it could reduce the bacterial richness and diversity in the ileum of goats. A high-concentrate diet may inhibit the growth of intestinal bacterial communities. Ileal concentrations of total volatile fatty acids increased and pH decreased with a high-concentrate diet, which could increase the risk of poor health in growing goats. Such an understanding will be essential to predict variations in the gastrointestinal microbiota to enhance the productivity and welfare of ruminants through nutritional strategies, such as diet intervention. Abstract Effects of a high proportion of concentrate in the diet on the ileal microbiota and metabolites in small ruminants are rarely reported. This study was designed to investigate the ileal microbiota and its relationship with host metabolic function in goats and aimed to elucidate the mechanisms involving in the ileal adaptation to a diet containing a high proportion of rice. Sixteen goats were equally divided into two groups and fed a diet with a normal concentrate proportion (NC, 55% concentrate) or a high-concentrate diet (HC, 90% concentrate). Results showed that the HC diet decreased bacterial diversity and elevated the abundance of five genera (Clostridium_sensu_stricto_1, Eubacterium_nodatum_group, Ruminococcus_gauvreauii_group, Eubacterium_coprostanoligenes_group and Ruminococcus 1), but reduced the number of Anaerotruncus. Microbial functional potentials indicated that the HC diet activated the pathways related to metabolism of carbohydrate, glycan, lipid and vitamins, but inhibited the pathways associated with cell motility and signal transduction. The activities of amylase and alkaline phosphatase were greater (p < 0.05) in the intestinal digesta of the HC-fed goats. However, there were no differences in the villus height, crypt depth and the ratio of villus height to crypt depth in the ileum between the two groups. These results indicate that the HC diet alters the bacterial community and pathways related to the metabolism of dietary nutrients and cell motility and signal transduction of bacteria in the ileum of goats.
Increases in speed do not change gait symmetry or variability in world-class race walkers

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to analyse changes in gait variability and symmetry with increasing speed in race walkers. Eighteen international athletes race walked on an instrumented treadmill at speeds of 11, 12, 13 and 14 km·h−1 in a randomised order for 3 min each. Spatiotemporal and ground reaction force data were recorded for 30 s at each speed. Gait variability was measured using median absolute deviation and inter-leg symmetry was measured using the symmetry angle. There was an overall effect of speed on all absolute values except push-off force, but symmetry and variability (except flight time) did not change with increased speed, step length and step frequency. Most athletes were asymmetrical for at least one variable, but none was asymmetrical for more than half of the variables measured. Therefore, being asymmetrical or having higher variability (<5%) in a few variables is normal. Taking all findings together, practitioners should exercise caution when deciding on the need for corrective interventions and should not be concerned that increasing gait speed could increase injury risk through changes to athletes’ asymmetry. Race walking coaches should test at competition speeds to ensure that flight times, and any variability or asymmetry, are measured appropriately.
An Investigation Into the Relationship Between Playfulness and Well-being in Australian Adults: An Exploratory Study

Playfulness is well researched in children; however, much less is known about its impact on the well-being of adults. To investigate the relationship between playfulness and well-being in Australian adults. Participants (N = 175) completed the Other-directed, Lighthearted, Intellectual, and Whimsical (OLIW) scale for playfulness and the Positive Emotion, Engagement, Relationship, Meaning, and Accomplishment (PERMA-Profiler) scale for well-being through an online survey. Multiple regression analyses with bootstrapping were completed to investigate whether playfulness predicted well-being. Six of the eight regression models analyzed contained significant predictors of well-being in adults. Adult playfulness exhibited the most robust positive relations with positive emotion, engagement while with others and during activities, relationships, finding meaning in one’s life, and overall well-being. Playfulness was significantly related to several different indicators of well-being in adults. Therefore, incorporating elements of playfulness during occupational engagement could potentially nurture an individual’s well-being.
The Dark Side of Motivational Practices in Exercise Professionals: Mediators of Controlling Strategies

According to the Self-Determination Theory, perceived job pressures can coerce professionals to develop more controlled motivations towards their work, and consequently increase the probability of using controlling motivational strategies. This study sought to analyze work-related motivations as mediators between two types of perceived job pressures: organizational constraints and perceptions of clients’ controlled motivation and the use of controlling motivational strategies by exercise professionals. Using a cross-sectional design, involving 366 exercise professionals (172 women), mediation paths were assessed following Preacher and Hayes statistical procedures. Models were adjusted for gender, work experience (years), and the internal tendency to feel events as pressuring. Organizational constraints were associated with lower autonomous motivation for work and the use of controlling strategies. Perceptions of clients’ controlled motivation were associated with work-related amotivation and the use of controlling strategies. Amotivation mediated the association between organizational constraints and controlling strategies. Overall, results support theoretical predictions and previous research, extending it to the exercise domain, highlighting the interplay between job pressures, work-related motivations, and the use of controlling strategies. The understanding of what influences exercise professionals’ motivation, and consequently the motivational strategies they use, is of paramount importance for exercise promotion and the benefit of those who seek their expert guidance.
Prevalence of prenatal ultrasound diagnosed single umbilical artery in a cohort with associated congenital malformations

Introduction: Single umbilical artery (SUA), a developmental abnormality of the umbilical cord occurs following primary agenesis or secondary atrophy of one of the arteries. It occurs in 0.08%–2% of pregnancies and associated with intrauterine growth restriction, preterm delivery, stillbirth, and congenital anomalies. Usually, the attending midwife or doctor determines the number of umbilical arteries at delivery. However, with the advent of prenatal ultrasound screening, the umbilical cord vessels can be determined as early as 14 weeks prenatally. The study aimed at determining the prevalence of SUA in University College Hospital (UCH), Nigeria, with associated anomaly (ies). Materials and Methods: This is a prospective cohort study of 989 fetuses who had detailed anomaly scan over 4 years at the ultrasound unit of the antenatal clinic, UCH. Results: Sixty-two fetuses had various anomalies, of which three had SUA, and these cohorts were followed up. The prevalence of SUA was 0.3% in both singleton and multiple gestations. Other anomalies detected with SUA include abnormal-shaped head, hypoplastic cerebellum, bilateral renal pyelectasis, bilateral ventriculomegaly, cavum septum defect, and ventricular septal defect. Conclusion: SUA is more common in twin gestations than in singletons, and if found in a fetus, it is a high risk for other anomalies which must be determined prenatally.
Cryo-EM structures of human ZnT8 in both outward- and inward-facing conformations

ZnT8 is a Zn2+/H+ antiporter that belongs to SLC30 family and plays an essential role in regulating Zn2+ accumulation in the insulin secretory granules of pancreatic β cells. However, the Zn2+/H+ exchange mechanism of ZnT8 remains unclear due to the lack of high-resolution structures. Here, we report the cryo-EM structures of human ZnT8 (HsZnT8) in both outward- and inward-facing conformations. HsZnT8 forms a dimeric structure with four Zn2+ binding sites within each subunit: a highly conserved primary site in transmembrane domain (TMD) housing the Zn2+ substrate; an interfacial site between TMD and C-terminal domain (CTD) that modulates the Zn2+ transport activity of HsZnT8; and two adjacent sites buried in the cytosolic domain and chelated by conserved residues from CTD and the His-Cys-His (HCH) motif from the N-terminal segment of the neighboring subunit. A comparison of the outward- and inward-facing structures reveals that the TMD of each HsZnT8 subunit undergoes a large structural rearrangement, allowing for alternating access to the primary Zn2+ site during the transport cycle. Collectively, our studies provide the structural insights into the Zn2+/H+ exchange mechanism of HsZnT8.
Distribution of Calanus species in Kongsfjorden, a glacial fjord in Svalbard

The distribution of Calanus species was investigated in Kongsfjorden in summer of 1996 and 1997. In both years Calanus finmarchicus and Calanus glacialis dominated, although the boreal C. finmarchicus was more abundant than the Arctic C. glacialis in 1997. This coincided with a 2°C higher water temperature at 50 m in 1997, indicating stronger influence of Atlantic origin water that year. Adverted Calanus finmarchicus occurred in deep and subsurface layers of the outer fjord in 1996 (200 ind. m 3 , mainly CIII). A less abundant local population aggregated in surface layers of the inner fjord (100 ind. m -3 ). Similarly, advected C. finmarchicus occurred in subsurface layers in 1997 (446 ind. m -3 , mainly CIII and CIV) and a local population in surface layers (183 ind. m -3 , mainly CI). Calanus glacialis in 1996 aggregated as CII and CIII in the deep layers of the outer ford (272 ind. m 3 ), whereas CIII-CV were abundant (216 ind. m -3 ) in cold surface waters of the inner fjord. In 1997 C. glacialis (mostly CIIII-CV) was more abundant in the outer than in the inner part of the fjord (40 and 192 ind. m -3 , respectively). Within Kongsfjorden, Calanus finmarchicus needs one year to complete its life cycle, whereas Calanus glacialis needs two. Calanus hyper-boreus seems to be an expatriate in the fjord system.
Effects of Chronic Exposure to Low-Dose delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol in Adolescence and Adulthood on Serotonin/Norepinephrine Neurotransmission and Emotional Behavior

Abstract Background Chronic exposure to D9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main pharmacological component of cannabis, during adolescence has been shown to be associated with an increased risk of depression and suicidality in humans. Little is known about the impact of the long-term effects of chronic exposure to low doses of THC in adolescent compared with adult rodents. Methods THC (1 mg/kg i.p., once per day) or vehicle was administered for 20 days in both adolescent (post-natal day 30–50) and young adult rats (post-natal day 50–70). After a long washout period (20 days), behavioral tests and electrophysiological recordings of serotonin and norepinephrine neurons were carried out. Results Adolescent THC exposure resulted in depressive behaviors: decreased latency to first immobility in the forced swim test and increased anhedonia in the sucrose preference test. Decreased entries in the open arms were observed in the elevated plus maze after adolescent and adult exposure, indicating an anxious phenotype. A significant reduction in dorsal raphe serotonergic neural activity without a change in locus coeruleus noradrenergic neural activity was found after adolescent and adult exposure. Conclusions Altogether, these findings suggest that chronic low-dose THC exposure during the critical developmental period of adolescence and during adulthood could result in increased vulnerability of the serotonin system accompanied by anxiety symptoms. However, depressive phenotypes occur only after adolescent exposure but not after adult exposure, underscoring the greater vulnerability of young ages to the mental effects of cannabis.
Human L1 Transposition Dynamics Unraveled with Functional Data Analysis.

Long Interspersed Elements-1 (L1s) constitute >17% of the human genome and still actively transpose in it. Characterizing L1 transposition across the genome is critical for understanding genome evolution and somatic mutations. However, to date, L1 insertion and fixation patterns have not been studied comprehensively. To fill this gap, we investigated three genome-wide datasets of L1s that integrated at different evolutionary times: 17,037 de novo L1s (from an L1 insertion cell-line experiment conducted in-house), and 1,212 polymorphic and 1,205 human-specific L1s (from public databases). We characterized 49 genomic features-proxying chromatin accessibility, transcriptional activity, replication, recombination, etc.-in the ±50 kb flanks of these elements. These features were contrasted between the three L1 datasets and L1-free regions using state-of-the-art Functional Data Analysis (FDA) statistical methods, which treat high-resolution data as mathematical functions. Our results indicate that de novo, polymorphic and human-specific L1s are surrounded by different genomic features acting at specific locations and scales. This led to an integrative model of L1 transposition, according to which L1s preferentially integrate into open-chromatin regions enriched in non-B DNA motifs, whereas they are fixed in regions largely free of purifying selection-depleted of genes and non-coding most conserved elements. Intriguingly, our results suggest that L1 insertions modify local genomic landscape by extending CpG methylation and increasing mononucleotide microsatellite density. Altogether, our findings substantially facilitate understanding of L1 integration and fixation preferences, pave the way for uncovering their role in aging and cancer, and inform their use as mutagenesis tools in genetic studies.
Factors Associated with Students Meeting Components of Canada’s New 24-Hour Movement Guidelines over Time in the COMPASS Study

This study aimed to determine if secondary school students are meeting the new Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines (24-MG), as well as each individual recommendation (physical activity; sleep; sedentary behavior) within the 24-MG, and which student-level characteristics predict meeting the 24-MG, both cross-sectionally and longitudinally. This study is the first to examine longitudinal changes in students meeting the 24-MG, as well as student-level characteristics that were predictive of favourable shifts in movement patterns. Cross-sectional data were obtained for 11,793 grade 9 students across Canada as part of the COMPASS study. Of this sample, 3713 students provided linked follow-up data from grade 9 to grade 12. The probability of meeting the guidelines was modeled using two-level logistic regression analyses, adjusting for student-level co-variates and school clustering. Only 1.28% (p < 0.0001) of the sample met the overall 24-MG. Among grade 9 students, 35.9% (p < 0.0001), 50.8% (p < 0.0001), and 6.4% (p < 0.0001) were meeting the individual recommendations for physical activity, sleep, and screen time, respectively. Of those students, less than half were still meeting them by grade 12. Community sport participation was the only predictor of all three individual recommendations within the 24-MG. Longitudinal analyses found that community sport participation and parental support and encouragement were significantly associated with Grade 12 students starting to meet the physical activity and screen time recommendations, respectively, after having not met them in grade 9. Findings can be used to inform policy and public health practice, as well as to inform future research examining causal relationships between the variables.
A computational fluid dynamics modelling of maternal-fetal heat exchange and blood flow in the umbilical cord

Human fetal thermoregulation, maternal-fetal heat exchange, and the role of the umbilical cord in these processes are not well understood. Ethical and technical limitations have restricted current knowledge to animal studies, that do not reflect human morphology. Here, we present the first 3-dimensional computational model of the human umbilical cord with finite element analysis, aiming to compute the maternal-fetal heat exchange. By modelling both the umbilical vein and the two umbilical arteries, we found that the coiled geometry of the umbilical artery, in comparison with the primarily straight umbilical vein, affects blood flow parameters such as velocity, pressure, temperature, shear strain rate and static entropy. Specifically, by enhancing the heat transfer coefficient, we have shown that the helical structure of the umbilical arteries plays a vital role in the temperature drop of the blood, along the arterial length from the fetal end to the placental end. This suggests the importance of the umbilical cord structure in maternal-fetal heat exchange and fetal heat loss, opening the way for future research with modified models and scenarios, as the basis for early detection of potential heat-transfer related complications, and/or assurance of fetal wellbeing.
Influence of Temperature Effect on the Static and Dynamic Performance of Gas-Lubricated Microbearings

Gas-lubricated microbearings are widely applied in multiple fields due to their advantages of high-speed, low friction level and other features. The operating environment of microbearings is complex, and the difference of temperature has an important influence on their comprehensive performance. In this investigation, FEM (finite element method) is employed to investigate the static, dynamic and limit characteristics of microbearings lubricated by different kinds of gas at different temperatures. The results show that the rise of temperature leads to the decline of equivalent viscosity of gas, which weakens the load capacity of microbearings, and furthermore, affects the operating stability of microbearings. The dynamic performances of microbearings at different temperatures are very different, and the two dynamic limit characteristics are more sensitive to temperature when it changes.
Efeitos da fragmentação florestal sobre vespas e abelhas solitárias na Amazônia Central. II. estratificação vertical

The effects of forest fragmentation on the patterns of vertical abundance and richness of solitary wasp and bee communities was investigated near Manaus, Amazonas. Wasps and bees were trap-nested at 1,5, 8 and 15 m above the ground in continuous primary forestand isolated forest fragments. In general, the number of nests and species increased with height for both groups. In particular, bee species richness at 15 m was almost twice that at 1,5 mm. However, one species of Trypoxylon Latreille, 1796 (Sphecidae) consistently nested in the understorey. Thus, patterns of abundance and richness distributions indicated stratification. A contingency analysis showed that fragmentation altered stratification of nesting activity of the wasp community in fragments. However, a similar pattern was not found for the bees. These results are discussed with particular reference to prey and floral resources availability and microclimatic conditions.
Genetic variability, correlation and path analysis for quantitative traits in rainfed upland rice (Oryza sativa L.)

An experiment was carried out during Kharif 2018 to estimate the genetic parameters of variation, correlation and direct and indirect effects of yield components on grain yield in rice. The experimental material consists of 32 genotypes. Genotypes were planted in Randomized Block Design with three replications. The analysis of variance revealed that highly significant differences among the genotypes for all the characters. It indicated the presence of sufficient amount of genetic variability in the studied material for all the traits. High values of GCV and PCV was observed for grain yield per plant. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance as percentage of mean were recorded for grain yield per plant, number of grains per panicle, harvest index, test weight, biological yield per plant, plant height, flag leaf angle and number of tillers per plant. These characters showed substantial contribution of genotypic variance for their phenotypic expression. They can be further improved by direct selection for these characters. Based on correlation studies, grain yield per plant depicted significant positive correlation with harvest index, biological yield per plant and panicle length. Path coefficient analysis revealed that, eight characters had high direct positive effect on grain yield per plant like, harvest index, biological yield per plant, days to 50% flowering, number of productive tillers per plant, flag leaf angle, test weight, number of grains per panicle and panicle length. It showed that these characters may be included in selection criteria to enhance the grain yield in rice. During formulating of selection criteria in rice improvement programme following characters like, Harvest index, biological yield per plant, and panicle length should be included.
Antifibrotic Effects of Bezafibrate and Pioglitazone Against Thioacetamide-Induced Liver Fibrosis in Albino Rats.

Activation of hepatic stellate cells is a central event in hepatic fibrogenesis that offers multiple potential sites for therapeutic interventions. Peroxisome proliferators activated receptors are implicated in liver fibrosis. We aimed to evaluate the effect of bezafibrate and pioglitazone on a thioacetamide (TAA) rat model of liver fibrosis and to clarify the possible underlying mechanisms. Rats received intraperitoneal injections of TAA for 6 weeks. Daily oral treatments with bezafibrate or pioglitazone were started with the first day of TAA-intoxication. Serum liver function tests, hepatic malondialdehyde (MDA), total nitrite and nitrate (NOx), superoxide dismutase and hepatic histopathology were assessed to evaluate hepatic damage. Alpha smooth muscle actin (αSMA) and tissue inhibitor metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) and caspase-3 were also assessed. TAA group experienced significant deterioration of liver functions, increased oxidative stress and increased liver tissue NOx. Administration of bezafibrate or pioglitazone resulted in significant improvement of all liver functions and reduced oxidative stress in hepatic tissues. Only administration of bezafibrate significantly reduced NOx levels. Liver tissues from TAA-treated group showed disrupted normal architecture. Administration of bezafibrate or pioglitazone attenuated this picture. Stronger α-SMA expression was detected in the TAA-group. Treatment with bezafibrate or pioglitazone decreased the α-SMA expression.