Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Can β2-agonists have an ergogenic effect on strength, sprint or power performance? Systematic review and meta-analysis of RCTs

Objectives We aimed to examine the effect of β2-agonists on anaerobic performance in healthy non-asthmatic subjects. Design Systematic review and meta-analysis. Eligibility criteria We searched four databases (PubMed, Embase, SPORTDiscus and Web of Science) for randomised controlled trials, published until December 2019, examining the effect of β2-agonists on maximal physical performance lasting 1 min or shorter. Data are presented as standardised difference in mean (SDM) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). Results 34 studies were included in the present meta-analysis. The studies include 44 different randomised and placebo-controlled comparisons with β2-agonists comprising 323 participants in crossover trials, and 149 participants in parallel trials. In the overall analyses, β2-agonists improved anaerobic performance by 5% (SDM 0.29, 95% CI 0.16 to 0.42), but the effect was related to dose and administration route. In a stratified analysis, the SDM was 0.14 (95% CI 0.00 to 0.28) for approved β2-agonists and 0.46 (95% CI 0.24 to 0.68) for prohibited β2-agonists, respectively. Furthermore, SDM was 0.16 (95% CI 0.02 to 0.30) for inhaled administration and 0.51 (95% CI 0.25 to 0.77) for oral administration, respectively, and 0.20 (95% CI 0.07 to 0.33) for acute treatment and 0.50 (95% CI 0.20 to 0.80) for treatment for multiple weeks. Analyses stratified for the type of performance showed that strength (0.35, 95% CI 0.15 to 0.55) and sprint (0.17, 95% CI 0.06 to 0.29) performance were improved by β2-agonists. Conclusion/implication Our study shows that non-asthmatic subjects can improve sprint and strength performance by using β2-agonists. It is uncertain, however, whether World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA)-approved doses of β2-agonists improve performance. Our results support that the use of β2-agonists should be controlled and restricted to athletes with documented asthma. Systematic review registration PROSPERO CRD42018109223.
The Time-Course of Changes in Muscle Mass, Architecture and Power During 6 Weeks of Plyometric Training

Purpose To investigate the time-course of changes in knee-extensors muscle mass, architecture and function in response to plyometric training (PLT) performed on a novel training device, the Tramp-Trainer. This machine consists in a trampoline connected to an inclined sledge which allows the performance of repeated jumps while the subject is sitting on a chair. Methods Eight healthy males (173.6 ± 4.7 cm, 69.7 ± 13.5 kg, 25.3 ± 4.6 years) underwent 6 weeks of bilateral PLT on the tramp-trainer machine. Training was performed three times per week (between 120 and 150 bounces per session). Knee-extensor maximum voluntary torque (MVT) and power, quadriceps femoris (QF) volume (VOL), cross-sectional area from the 20% to the 60% of femur length and CSAmean, together with vastus lateralis (VL) architecture (fascicle length, Lf, and pennation angle, PA) were assessed after 2, 4, and 6 weeks of PLT. Results All results are presented as changes versus baseline values. MVT increased by 17.8% (week 2, p < 0.001) and 22.2% (week 4, p < 0.01), respectively, and declined to 13.3% (p < 0.05) at week 6 of PLT. Power increased by 18.2% (week 4, p < 0.05) and 19.7% (week 6, p < 0.05). QF VOL increased by 4.7% (week 4, p < 0.05) and 5.8% (week 6, p < 0.01); VL VOL increased by 5.2%, (p < 0.05), 8.2%, (p < 0.01), and 9.6% (p < 0.05) at weeks 2, 4, and 6, respectively. An increase in Lf was detected already at wk 2 (2.2%, p < 0.05), with further increase at 4 and 6 weeks of PLT (4 and 4.4%, respectively, p < 0.01). PA increased by 5.8% (p < 0.05) at week 6. Significant positive correlations were found between CSAmean and Power (R2 = 0.46, p < 0.001) and between QF VOL and Power (R2 = 0.44, p < 0.024). Conclusions PLT induced rapid increases in muscle volume, fascicle length, pennation angle, torque and power in healthy younger adults. Notably, changes in VL VOL and Lf were detectable already after 2 weeks, followed by increases in knee extensors VOL and power from week 4 of PLT. Since the increase in CSAmean and QF VOL cannot fully explain the increment in muscle power, it is likely that other factors (such as adaptations in neural drive or tendon mechanical properties) may have contributed to such fucntional changes.
Radio resource sharing with edge caching for multi-operator in large cellular networks

The aim of this thesis is to devise new paradigms on radio resource sharing including cacheenabled virtualized large cellular networks for mobile network operators (MNOs). Also, selforganizing resource allocation for small cell networks is considered. In such networks, the MNOs rent radio resources from the infrastructure provider (InP) to support their subscribers. In order to reduce the operational costs, while at the same time to significantly increase the usage of the existing network resources, it leads to a paradigm where the MNOs share their infrastructure, i.e., base stations (BSs), antennas, spectrum and edge cache among themselves. In this regard, we integrate the theoretical insights provided by stochastic geometrical approaches to model the spectrum and infrastructure sharing for large cellular networks. In the first part of the thesis, we study the non-orthogonal multi-MNO spectrum allocation problem for small cell networks with the goal of maximizing the overall network throughput, defined as the expected weighted sum rate of the MNOs. Each MNO is assumed to serve multiple small cell BSs (SBSs). We adopt the many-to-one stable matching game framework to tackle this problem. We also investigate the role of power allocation schemes for SBSs using Q-learning. In the second part, we model and analyze the infrastructure sharing system considering a single buyer MNO and multiple seller MNOs. The MNOs are assumed to operate over their own licensed spectrum bands while sharing BSs. We assume that multiple seller MNOs compete with each other to sell their infrastructure to a potential buyer MNO. The optimal strategy for the seller MNOs in terms of the fraction of infrastructure to be shared and the price of the infrastructure, is obtained by computing the equilibrium of a Cournot-Nash oligopoly game. Finally, we develop a game-theoretic framework to model and analyze a cache-enabled virtualized cellular networks where the network infrastructure, e.g., BSs and cache storage, owned by an InP, is rented and shared among multiple MNOs. We formulate a Stackelberg game model with the InP as the leader and the MNOs as the followers. The InP tries to maximize its profit by optimizing its infrastructure rental fee. The MNO aims to minimize the cost of infrastructure by minimizing the cache intensity under probabilistic delay constraint of the user (UE). Since the MNOs share their rented infrastructure, we apply a cooperative game concept, namely, the Shapley value, to divide the cost among the MNOs.
Understanding Allogrooming Through a Dynamic Social Network Approach: An Example in a Group of Dairy Cows

For gregarious species such as domestic cattle, the social environment is a very important determinant of their welfare and fitness. Understanding the complexity of cows' relationships can assist the development of management practices that are more integrated with the cows' social behavioral processes. The two aims of this study were: (1) to determine the dynamics of affiliative relationships, as indicated by allogrooming, by means of stochastic actor-oriented modeling, in dairy cows during early lactation; (2) to explore the underlying processes and the individual attributes, such as age, social rank and reproductive state, that could shape network pattern changes in grooming contacts between individual. We observed the allogrooming behavior of a dynamic group of 38 dairy cows for 4 h per day for 30 days. Using stochastic actor-oriented models, we modeled the dynamics of weekly contacts and studied how structural processes (e.g., reciprocity, transitivity, or popularity) and individual attributes (i.e., age, social rank, and reproductive state) influence network changes. We found that cows tended to groom individuals that had previously groomed them, implying a possible cooperation. Cows that groomed more actively did not appear to have a preference for specific individuals in the herd, and in return, tended to be groomed by fewer cows over time. Older individuals groomed more cows than younger ones, indicating that allogrooming could be related to seniority. Cows groomed mainly individuals of similar age, suggesting that familiarity and growing up together enhanced social grooming. Over time, cows with higher social rank were groomed by fewer cows and individuals recently reintroduced to the group groomed more herdmates. The study of social network dynamics can be used to better understand the complexity and non-linearity of cow relationships. Our findings, along with further research, can complement and strengthen the design of improved management practices that are more in line with the natural social behavior of cows.
Physiological and Ecological Responses of Photosynthetic Processes to Oceanic Properties and Phytoplankton Communities in the Oligotrophic Western Pacific Ocean

Understanding the dynamics of primary productivity in a rapidly changing marine environment requires mechanistic insight into the photosynthetic processes (light absorption characteristics and electron transport) in response to the variability of environmental conditions and algal species. Here, we examined the photosynthetic performance and related physiological and ecological responses to oceanic properties [temperature, salinity, light, size-fractionated chlorophyll a (Chl a) and nutrients] and phytoplankton communities in the oligotrophic Western Pacific Ocean (WPO). Our results revealed high variability in the maximum (Fv/Fm; 0.08–0.26) and effective (Fq′/Fm′; 0.02–0.22) photochemical efficiency, the efficiency of charge separation (Fq′/Fv′; 0.19–1.06), the photosynthetic electron transfer rates (ETRRCII; 0.02–5.89 mol e– mol RCII–1 s–1) and the maximum of primary production [PPmax; 0.04–8.59 mg C (mg chl a)–1 h–1]. All these photosynthetic characteristics showed a depth-specific dependency based on respective nonlinear regression models. On physiological scales, variability in light absorption parameters Fv/Fm and Fq′/Fm′ notably correlated with light availability and size-fractionated Chl a, while both ETRRCII and PPmax were correlated to temperature, light, and ambient nutrient concentration. Since the presence of nonphotochemical quenching (NPQNSV; 2.33–12.31) and increasing reductant are used for functions other than carbon fixation, we observed nonparallel changes in the ETRRCII and Fv/Fm, Fq′/Fm′, Fq′/Fv′. In addition, we found that the important biotic variables influencing Fv/Fm were diatoms (cells > 2 μm), picosized Prochlorococcus, and eukaryotes, but the PPmax was closely related to large cyanobacteria (cells > 2 μm), dinoflagellates, and picosized Synechococcus. The implication is that, on ecological scales, an interaction among temperature, light, and nutrient availability may be key in driving the dynamics of primary productivity in the WPO, while large cyanobacteria, dinoflagellates, and picosized Synechococcus may have a high contribution to the primary production. Overall, the photosynthetic processes are interactively affected by complex abiotic and biotic variables in marine ecosystems, rather than by a single variable.
A supramolecular platform for controlling and optimizing molecular architectures of siRNA targeted delivery vehicles

A supramolecular platform has been demonstrated to be a powerful tool for screening efficient targeted gene delivery vehicles. It requires multistep synthesis and conjugation processes to incorporate multifunctionalities into a polyplex gene vehicle to overcome numerous hurdles during gene delivery. Here, we describe a supramolecular platform to precisely control, screen, and optimize molecular architectures of siRNA targeted delivery vehicles, which is based on rationally designed host-guest complexation between a β-cyclodextrin–based cationic host polymer and a library of guest polymers with various PEG shape and size, and various density of ligands. The host polymer is responsible to load/unload siRNA, while the guest polymer is responsible to shield the vehicles from nonspecific cellular uptake, to prolong their circulation time, and to target tumor cells. A series of precisely controlled molecular architectures through a simple assembly process allow for a rapid optimization of siRNA delivery vehicles in vitro and in vivo for therapeutic siRNA-Bcl2 delivery and tumor therapy, indicating the platform is a powerful screening tool for targeted gene delivery vehicles.
Dorsoventral polarity directs cell responses to migration track geometries

Dorsoventral polarity directs confined cell migration mode and efficiency by tuning nuclear stiffness and RhoA activity. How migrating cells differentially adapt and respond to extracellular track geometries remains unknown. Using intravital imaging, we demonstrate that invading cells exhibit dorsoventral (top-to-bottom) polarity in vivo. To investigate the impact of dorsoventral polarity on cell locomotion through different confining geometries, we fabricated microchannels of fixed cross-sectional area, albeit with distinct aspect ratios. Vertical confinement, exerted along the dorsoventral polarity axis, induces myosin II–dependent nuclear stiffening, which results in RhoA hyperactivation at the cell poles and slow bleb-based migration. In lateral confinement, directed perpendicularly to the dorsoventral polarity axis, the absence of perinuclear myosin II fails to increase nuclear stiffness. Hence, cells maintain basal RhoA activity and display faster mesenchymal migration. In summary, by integrating microfabrication, imaging techniques, and intravital microscopy, we demonstrate that dorsoventral polarity, observed in vivo and in vitro, directs cell responses in confinement by spatially tuning RhoA activity, which controls bleb-based versus mesenchymal migration.
INDUCTION AND ORIENTATION PRACTICES AND PERCEIVED EFFECT ON HEALTH WORK FORCE PERFORMANCE AND SATISFACTION IN PUBLIC HOSPITALS OF ILUBABOUR ZONE, OROMIA REGIONAL STATE, SOUTH WEST ETHIOPIA, 2018: FACILITY BASED CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY DESIGN WAS EMPLOYED.

background: successful orientation speeds up the adaptation process by helping new employees feel comfortable in the organization and by making them more productive on the job. in today world most organization are recognizing that this type of simple generic orientation is not enough, a more complex employee orientation or on boarding process is required. Our aim was to assess induction and orientation practices and perceived effect on health work force performance and satisfaction in public hospitals of ilubabour zone, oromia regional state, south west Ethiopia, 2018. methods: a facility based cross sectional study was conducted by using both quantitative and qualitative methods. quantitative data was collected by self-administered questionnaire and qualitative data was collected by in depth interview with purposefully selected key informants using interviewer guide. the sample sizes for quantitative data were calculated by using single population proportion formula. accordingly, a total of 403 samples were drawn from the source population by stratified sampling technique. qualitative data of in-depth interview was transcribed, and thematically analyzed and triangulated with quantitative findings. results: out of 388 only 135(34 %) respondents have attended induction and orientation training while assignment to different new responsibilities. the finding from key informants revealed that they take even for less than one day or an hour. regarding the practices held during the training only proper welcoming them to the organization and department was practiced, the rest practices like sharing the organization vision, involving senior leaders and post training evaluation was responded that they were exercised poorly within the organizations. only 53.1% responded that induction and orientation training have perceived effect on employee performance while 46.7% of respondents do not. about 55.7% respondents said that induction and orientation training have perceived effect on employees job satisfaction and the remaining responded to have no effect on employees satisfaction. conclusion: generally, the induction and orientation practice was poor so as the supportive supervision and post training evaluation. more than half of the respondents perceived that it has effect on performance and satisfaction and the rest did not understand its specific effects. key words:induction,orientation,satisfaction region,Ethiopia.
Examination of coupling between primary and secondary production in a river‐dominated estuary: Apalachicola Bay, Florida, U.S.A.

To examine the influence of river‐borne organic material on estuarine communities, we conducted a dual stable isotope study in an estuary heavily influenced by alluvial runoff. Despite significant alluvial influence, secondary production in Apalachicola Bay depends more upon estuarine primary production than upon a detrital food web supported by floodplain primary production. Two simple mixing models, floodplain‐marine and floodplain‐estuarine, indicated that the upper limits for the contribution of terrestrial organic matter to estuarine consumer diets averaged 37, 25, and 27% and 20, 19, and 25% for East Bay, Cat Point, and Dry Bar, respectively. Systematic δ13C variation of consumer organisms was found for differing locations and attributed to increasing influence of terrestrial organic matter and 13C‐depleted dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) closer to the river mouth. The δ34S data exhibited significant variation with river flow that was attributed to an admixture of terrestrial floodplain detritus with estuarine and marine organic matter. Both δ13C and δ34S isotope data demonstrated clear distinctions between benthic and water column feeding types. Our results suggest that the estuary is dependent on riverine inflows to provide floodplain detritus during the high‐flow period and dissolved nutrients for estuarine primary productivity during the low‐flow season. Any alteration of river hydrology may adversely affect estuarine secondary production, especially during the low‐flow period when the estuary is dependent on input of dissolved nutrients to maintain a high level of primary productivity.
Haplotype diversity of Tribolium castaneum H. (Coleotera, Tenebrionidae) pest of stored millet in Senegal

In Senegal, millet occupies the most important place among the cereal crops. This cereal stocks are attacked by the Coleoptera, usch as Tribolium castaneum. This beetle attacks grains and causessignificant losses on stocks of beaten millet in the Sahelian zone. The objective of this study is togenetically characterize the populations of T. castaneum encountered in different agroecological zonesto identify the different haplotypes circulating in Senegal. The results showed that there are at least 12haplotypes of T. castaneum in Senegal. High haplotype diversity in the northern groundnut basin and high nucleotide diversity in the south of the groundnut basin were also noted. The cereal in the market of Sandiara was the cause of the wealth of haplotype and nucleotide diversity in the north of the groundnut basin. The high haplotype diversity and the low nucleotide diversity in the basin centered in eastern Senegal, high Casamance may be the result of rapid population growth from an ancestral population at low numbers. There was no significant genetic differentiation between agroecological zones. The strong genetic differentiation of some individuals with multiple mutations not in thehaplotype network was due to a structure based on the host plant. Key words: Tribolium castaneum, agro-ecological zones, haplotype, genetic diversity.
An Image Processing Framework To Identify Rice Blast

An early detection of rice plant disease especially rice plant leaves disease detection can assist farmers to take necessary precaution at the early stage and can achieve better quality of crops. Rice plant can be affected by various types of fungal infectious diseases and among them rice blast is a common one. There are a numerous image processing approaches available today which can analyze rice plant leaves disease. Existing most approaches considered binary threshold based segmentation approach although input images are always RGB color images. To develop an automated system to identify and classify rice blast diseases it is always beneficial to use RGB color images as input and to provide analysis results in RGB color images as well. This study proposed a suitable frame work where enhancement, filter, color segmentation and color feature for classification steps were incorporated for identification. CNN classifier was applied to increase the identified accuracy rate. Compared to all other existing approaches this study proposed framework provides an acceptable accuracy rate of 97.43%.
High self-efficacy regarding smoking cessation may weaken the intention to quit smoking

Abstract Self-efficacy regarding the ability to stop smoking is considered a key factor for successful smoking cessation. However, research has found a weak link between self-efficacy and the intention to stop smoking. The present study aimed to gain a clearer understanding of this weak link, hypothesizing opposing effects of self-efficacy regarding the intention to quit. A representative sample of daily smokers in Switzerland (N = 362) completed a questionnaire. As expected, two opposing effects of self-efficacy were found: Self-efficacy was directly associated with the intention to quit, but self-efficacy was negatively linked to risk perception, resulting in a weakened intention to quit. This model explains the overall weak effect of self-efficacy on intention to quit. However, contrary to the hypotheses, dependence was not found to moderate the relationship between self-efficacy and intention to quit. Implications for interventions and future research are discussed.
Increasing Number of Therapy Sessions of Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Improves Motor Development by Reducing Muscle Spasticity in Cerebral Palsy Children

Background: Repetitive TMS (rTMS), a non-invasive neuro-stimulation tool based on the principle of electromagnetic induction is recently being employed both for investigational and interventional purposes. The stimulating effect of rTMS on motor cortex areas of the brain leads to increased motor activity and decreased muscle tone in spastic cerebral palsy (CP) patients. Objective: This modulatory effect of rTMS is used in this study to evaluate its effect on motor function and spasticity by increasing the number of therapy session and keeping frequency of 10Hz and pulse train of 2500 constant. Methods: Total thirty spastic CP patients participated in this study after written informed consent from their parents/guardians. The participants were equally divided into three groups, namely, S-20, S-30 and S-40 depending on the number of therapy sessions. The mean age±SD of participants in different groups were 8.9±3.6, 9.5±2.9 and 8.4±3.5 in S-20, S-30 and S-40 respectively. Participants in S-20, S-30 and S-40 were provided 20, 30 and 40 sessions of rTMS therapy respectively followed by physical therapy of 30 minutes daily. Each rTMS session was of 25 minutes duration and was administered once daily for 5 days a week. Prior to start and after completion of the therapy, pre and post assessment of gross motor function measure (GMFM) for motor function and modified Ashworth scale (MAS) for muscle spasticity was performed on all the participants. Outcomes: The result of pre-versus-post GMFM score showed that 4.27%, 3.12% and 2.36% motor gain was obtained after 40, 30 and 20 sessions of therapy respectively. In addition, significant reduction in spasticity in both upper and limb muscles was also observed in all the three groups.