Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A unified computational model for cortical post-synaptic plasticity

Cortical synapses possess a machinery of signalling pathways that leads to various modes of post-synaptic plasticity. Such pathways have been examined to a great detail separately in many types of experimental studies. However, a unified picture on how multiple biochemical pathways collectively shape the observed synaptic plasticity in the neocortex is missing. Here, we built a biochemically detailed model of post-synaptic plasticity that includes the major signalling cascades, namely, CaMKII, PKA, and PKC pathways which, upon activation by Ca2+, lead to synaptic potentiation or depression. We adjusted model components from existing models of intracellular signalling into a single-compartment simulation framework. Furthermore, we propose a statistical model for the prevalence of different types of membrane-bound AMPA-receptor tetramers consisting of GluR1 and GluR2 subunits in proportions suggested by the biochemical signalling model, which permits the estimation of the AMPA-receptor-mediated maximal synaptic conductance. We show that our model can reproduce neuromodulator-gated spike-timing-dependent plasticity as observed in the visual cortex. Moreover, we demonstrate that our model can be fit to data from many cortical areas and that the resulting model parameters reflect the involvement of the pathways pinpointed by the underlying experimental studies. Our model explains the dependence of different forms of plasticity on the availability of different proteins and can be used for the study of mental disorder-associated impairments of cortical plasticity. Significance statement Neocortical synaptic plasticity has been studied experimentally in a number of cortical areas, showing how interactions between neuromodulators and post-synaptic proteins shape the outcome of the plasticity. On the other hand, non-detailed computational models of long-term plasticity, such as Hebbian rules of synaptic potentiation and depression, have been widely used in modelling of neocortical circuits. In this work, we bridge the gap between these two branches of neuroscience by building a detailed model of post-synaptic plasticity that can reproduce observations on cortical plasticity and provide biochemical meaning to the simple rules of plasticity. Our model can be used for predicting the effects of chemical or genetic manipulations of various intracellular signalling proteins on induction of plasticity in health and disease.
Nothing Lost, Something Gained? Impact of a Universal Social-Emotional Learning Program on Future State Test Performance

Although the promise of universal social-emotional learning (SEL) programs enhancing student academic outcomes has captured public attention, there has been limited research regarding such programs’ impact on students’ state test scores. We used multilevel modeling of follow-up data from a multiyear, multisite cluster-randomized efficacy trial to investigate the impact of a brief universal SEL program on students’ subsequent state test performance. Although somewhat smaller in magnitude than those reported in previous SEL meta-analyses (e.g., Durlak et al., 2011), observed effect sizes generally were positive and consistent with other studies employing similar designs (i.e., randomized trial, state test outcome, baseline academic covariate). These findings may assuage concerns about the program negatively impacting state test scores due to lost instructional time; however, they also temper expectations about large academic gains resulting from its implementation.
Dissolvable Polyacrylamide Beads for High‐Throughput Droplet DNA Barcoding

Droplet‐based single cell sequencing technologies, such as inDrop, Drop‐seq, and 10X Genomics, are catalyzing a revolution in the understanding of biology. Barcoding beads are key components for these technologies. What is limiting today are barcoding beads that are easy to fabricate, can efficiently deliver primers into drops, and thus achieve high detection efficiency. Here, this work reports an approach to fabricate dissolvable polyacrylamide beads, by crosslinking acrylamide with disulfide bridges that can be cleaved with dithiothreitol. The beads can be rapidly dissolved in drops and release DNA barcode primers. The dissolvable beads are easy to synthesize, and the primer cost for the beads is significantly lower than that for the previous barcoding beads. Furthermore, the dissolvable beads can be loaded into drops with >95% loading efficiency of a single bead per drop and the dissolution of beads does not influence reverse transcription or the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in drops. Based on this approach, the dissolvable beads are used for single cell RNA and protein analysis.
Progesterone modulates theta oscillations in the frontal-parietal network

The neuroactive metabolites of the steroid hormones progesterone (P4) and testosterone (T) are GABAergic modulators that influence cognitive control, yet the specific effect of P4 and T on brain network activity remains poorly understood. Here, we investigated if a fundamental oscillatory network activity pattern related to cognitive control, frontal midline theta (FMT) oscillations, are modulated by steroids hormones, P4 and T. We measured the concentration P4 and T using salivary enzyme immunoassay and FMT oscillations using high-density electroencephalography (EEG) during the eyes-open resting state in fifty-five healthy female and male participants. Electrical brain activity was analyzed using Morlet wavelet convolution, beamformer source localization, background noise spectral fitting, and phase amplitude coupling analysis. Steroid hormone concentrations and biological sex were used as predictors for scalp and source-estimated theta oscillations and for top-down theta-gamma phase amplitude coupling. Elevated concentrations of P4 predicted increased FMT oscillatory amplitude across both sexes, and no relationship was found with T. The positive correlation with P4 was specific to the frontal-midline electrodes and survived correction for the background noise of the brain. Using source localization, FMT oscillations were localized to the frontal-parietal network. Additionally, theta amplitude within the frontal-parietal network, but not the default mode network, positively correlated with P4 concentration. Finally, P4 concentration correlated with increased coupling between FMT phase and posterior gamma amplitude. Our results suggest that P4 concentration modulates brain activity via upregulation of theta oscillations in the frontal-parietal network and increased top-down control over posterior cortical sites. Significance Statement The neuroactive metabolites of the steroid hormones progesterone (P4) and testosterone (T) are GABAergic modulators that influence cognitive control, yet the specific effect of P4 and T on brain network activity remains poorly understood. Here, we investigated if a fundamental oscillatory network activity pattern related to cognitive control, frontal midline theta (FMT) oscillations, are modulated by steroids hormones, P4 and T. Our results suggest that P4 concentration modulates brain activity via upregulation of theta oscillations in the frontal-parietal network and increased top-down control over posterior cortical sites.
Prevalence of Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Psychological Ill-Health and Health-Seeking Behavior in a Population of Nigerian Medical Students

Background: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a functional gastrointestinal disorder with considerable morbidity and profound negative impact on quality of life. It has been observed that patients with psychological disturbances relate more frequently with the symptoms of IBS, and they have more debilitating illness than control populations. We examined the prevalence of IBS among Original Research Article Jemilohun et al.; JAMMR, 25(4): 1-9, 2018; Article no.JAMMR. 39235 2 a population of Nigerian medical students and its association with two common psychological conditions (anxiety and depression). Methods: In a descriptive cross-sectional study, we enrolled 321 consenting medical students aged 20 to 50 years. A 34-item self-reporting questionnaire consisting of sociodemographic data, the Rome III IBS questionnaire, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and two IBS-related health-seeking behaviour questions was administered to the participants. Statistical analysis was done with the IBM-Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), version 20. Results: A total of 320 participants were included in the analyses. The mean age of the participants was 26.3 ±4.1 years. The prevalence of IBS among the medical students was 14.4%, and IBS-M was the predominant subtype (58.7%). IBS had a significant relationship with the female gender [OR =2.19 (95% CI, 1.14 – 4.22), P =0.019] and anxiety [OR 1.18 (95% CI, 1.061.32), P =0.003]. The disease showed no significant association with other risk factors considered. IBS health-seeking behaviour was significantly associated with depression [OR = 8.89(95% CI, 1.66 47.51), P<0.001]. Conclusion: IBS is moderately prevalent among our study population, and it is positively associated with the female gender and anxiety.
Unintentional plagiarism and academic integrity: The challenges and needs of postgraduate international students in Australia

ABSTRACT The rapid increase in the number of international students from different academic backgrounds studying in Australian higher education has required universities to reconsider how to support these students while ensuring academic integrity in new academic settings. The high number of studies on academic integrity and student support programmes at universities shows that unintentional plagiarism is still on the rise, particularly amongst postgraduate international students. Thus, this article reviews the literature with a focus on factors inducing plagiarism by international students at Australian universities. The results highlight the inadequate and insufficient quality of many support programmes in terms of contact time and teaching students about the necessity of attribution and proper ways of referencing. The findings also show that, because of the different practices of education regarding academic integrity throughout the world, simply having high proficiency in English writing skills is insufficient for international postgraduate students to avoid unintentional plagiarism in a new academic setting. Considering these factors, new pedagogical strategies are recommended to help international students become aware of the academic form and context of the target communities and assist them in adjusting, rather than criticising their academic works and undermining their confidence in the new educational system.
Laparoscopy versus minilaparotomy.

Both laparoscopy and minilaparotomy are safe effective and efficient sterilization procedures but the laparoscope is complex requires long training and is not as suited to developing countries as the simpler minilap procedure. Both procedures can be used to divide the tubes by electrocoagulation or to apply springs or clips. The procedure used for routine minilap procedures at the clinic of Asociacion Demografica Salvadorena are described in detail. Research data of the International Fertility Research Program are given in a series of tables. Total surgical complication rate was similar for both procedures; the theoretically lower complication rate for the simpler minilap procedure was not realized probably due in part to the fact that reported procedures represent early learning experiences of many of the surgeons involved. The serious complications point to the need for careful training. The theoretically lower risk of newer mechanical occlusive techniques was also not realized again reflecting lack of skill and experience. The data cover 13333 laparoscopy cases and 3138 minilaparotomy cases recorded at 60 institutions in 24 countries. Mean surgical time was 20 minutes not counting preoperative time which was greater for laparoscopy cases. Surgical complication rate was 2.1% for laparoscopy 1.7% for minilaparotomy. However among tubal occlusion techniques rates ranged from 3.7% for Rocket clip procedures to 2% for cautery and . 9% for the Hulka clip among laparoscopy patients and from 3.2% for tubal ring down to 1.4% for Pomeroy procedures in minilap cases. Bowel and bladder injuries were statistically similar in both groups but injury to major vascular structures occurred only during laparoscopy (3 cases). Injury or bleeding of the tube or mesosalpinx was noted for varying proportions of patients in each group. Tubal trauma in laparoscopy patients was more frequent for cautery (1.0%) and ring (1.3%) than for either clip group (.1% and .2%). Among minilap cases it was 1.9% for ring and . 5% for Pomeroy. Although laparotomy was occasionally required in laparoscopy cases bleeding was frequently managed either by cauterization or by application of a 2nd ring. In minilap procedures bleeding was controlled by ligation. Uterine perforation occurred in less than 1% of each group. Mistaken identification of structures (.1%) of each group. Mistaken identification of structures (.1%) and extraperitoneal emphysema (.4%) developed only in laparoscopic patients. Minor complications were not analyzed because of variations in reporting.
Equality of the Kelvin and Korteweg–Helmholtz Force Densities Inside Dielectric Materials

The net force is enough to predict the motion of an object, but to predict its deformation, the distribution of the force inside the object should be known. In the continuum electromechanics, various expressions are used to calculate the electric forces acting on a dielectric object. The Kelvin and the Korteweg–Helmholtz forces are the most common electric body forces. The net force resulting from both of these “forces” is equal, but the distribution of these two forces inside a dielectric material is different because the expressions of both these forces lose their physical manifestation in the derivation process. This article is primarily aimed at revealing the common mistakes that are made when deriving volumetric force density. Then, the concept of an infinitesimal particle and external electric field is introduced. By using this concept, the electric force density inside a dielectric material is uniquely determined irrespective of the force expression, which is shown analytically and numerically.
Area per player in small-sided games to replicate the external load and estimated physiological match demands in elite soccer players

The current study determined the area-per-player during small- or large-sided games with or without goalkeeper that replicates the relative (m·min−1) total distance, high-intensity running distance, sprint distance and metabolic power covered during official matches. Time-motion analysis was performed on twenty-five élite soccer-players during 26 home-matches. A total of 2565 individual samples for SSGs using different pitch sizes and different number of players were collected and classified as SSGs with (SSG-G) or without goalkeeper (SSG-P). A between-position comparison was also performed. The area-per-player needed to replicate the official match demands was largely greater in SSG-G vs SSG-P for total distance [187±53 vs 115±35 m2, effect size (ES): 1.60 95%CI 0.94/2.21], high-intensity running distance [262±72 vs 166±39 m2, ES: 1.66(0.99/2.27)] and metabolic power [177±42 vs 94±40, ES: 1.99(1.31/2.67)], but similar for sprint distance [(316±75 vs 295±99 m2, ES: 0.24(−0.32/0.79)] with direction of larger area-per-player for sprint distance > high-intensity running > total distance ≅ metabolic power for both SSG-G and SSG-P. In SSG-G, forwards required greater area-per-player than central-defenders [ES: 2.96(1.07/4.35)], wide-midfielders [ES: 2.45(0.64/3.78)] and wide-defenders [ES: 3.45(1.13/4.99)]. Central-midfielders required greater area-per-player than central-defenders [ES: 1.69(0.20/2.90)] and wide-midfielders [ES: 1.35(−0.13/2.57)]. In SSG-P, central defenders need smaller area-per-player (ES: −6.01/−0.92) to overall replicate the match demands compared to all other positions. The current results highlight that soccer players need a specific area-per-player during the small-side games with or without goalkeeper to replicate the overall match demands, especially to perform high-intensity running or sprint distance. Additionally, central defenders, central midfielders and forwards need to be trained with tailored area-per-player or specific rules/additional exercises.
Cavity Resonator Integrated Grating Filters : recent advances for laser wavelength stabilization and enhanced second harmonic generation

Cavity Resonator Integrated Grating Filters (CRIGFs) are a peculiar mix between microcavities and Guided-Mode Resonant Filters (GMRFs). They rely on the coupling of free-space beams to guided and localized modes in a multilayer structure by subwavelength gratings. They provide spectrally selective reflection for tightly focussed beams, combining high Q-factors with high angular and positioning tolerances. Recently, their unusual properties have been harnessed to design and demonstrate compact and robust Extended Cavity Diode Laser (ECDL) with single-mode and narrow-linewidth emission in the near infrared and Extended Cavity Quantum Cascade Laser (ECQCL) with tunable emission in the mid-infrared. More recent work have taken advantage of new geometries on thermo-optic and non-linear material to demonstrate thermal tuning and second harmonic generation at telecom wavelengths. In this contribution, the principle and key features of CRIGFs will be presented together with the applications listed above.
Using practical-based team-based learning (PTBL) as a tool forproviding an immediate feedback to the students during AnatomyEducation

Team-based learning (TBL) is a student-centered learning strategy, which has been confirmed in medical education to enhance learning. Neverthe-less, it has not been implemented during practical anatomy learning that challenges the spatial per-ception of the learned material in contrast to other disciplines. This study aims to present a novel in-tervention in using practical-based team-based learning (PTBL) in anatomy and its impact as a tool for providing immediate feedback. It also de-termines students’ perceptions of the PTBL and the effect of the given feedback on anatomy learn-ing. The students were subjected to a formative objective structured practical examination (OSPE) in two successive formats: individual readiness assurance test (iRAT) and team readiness assur-ance test (tRAT). In the iRAT, individual students rotated around the practical stations in the form of a steeplechase examination. For the subsequent tRAT, groups of 5 students rotated around the same practical stations. The session was conclud-ed by discussing the practical stations with the tu-tor and immediate feedback about the students’ performance was provided along with an explana-tion of the reasoning behind judgments and practi-cal assessment criteria. Students’ perception(N=90) was measured through a self-administered questionnaire and a comparison of test scores. There was a significant rise in the average final summative OSPE scores of the students (p-value=0.029) comparing their results to the previ-ous semester in which PTBL was not implement-ed, concluding that PTBL is a valuable pedagogi-cal instrument that can be employed as an effec-tive method for providing immediate feedback dur-ing anatomy education.
Neural oscillations track the maintenance and proceduralization of novel instructions

Humans are capable of flexibly converting symbolic instructions into novel behaviors. Previous evidence and theoretical models suggest that the implementation of a novel instruction requires the reformatting of its declarative content into an action-oriented code optimized for the execution of the instructed behavior. While neuroimaging research focused on identifying the brain areas involved in such a process, the temporal and electrophysiological mechanisms remain poorly understood. These mechanisms, however, can provide information about the specific cognitive processes that characterize the proceduralization of information. In the present study, we recorded EEG activity while we asked participants to either simply maintain declaratively the content of novel S-R mappings or to proactively prepare for their implementation. By means of time-frequency analyses, we isolated the oscillatory features specific to the proceduralization of instructions. Implementation of the instructed mappings elicited stronger theta activity over frontal electrodes and suppression in mu and beta activity over central electrodes. On the contrary, activity in the alpha band, which has been shown to track the attentional deployment to task-relevant items, showed no differences between tasks. Together, these results support the idea that proceduralization of information is characterized by specific component processes such as orchestrating complex task settings and configuring the motor system that are not observed when instructions are held in a declarative format. Highlights Frontal theta power is increased during instructions implementation Attentional orienting in WM is analogous across maintenance and implementation Instructions implementation involves motor recruitment
Comparison of efficacy of difluprednate 0.05% vs dexamethasone 0.1% eye drops in inflammation associated with small incision cataract surgery

Post operative ocular inflammation is a common happening after any type of surgery. Cataract surgery is an invasive procedure that requires incision and cutting of ocular tissue as well as considerable intraocular tissue manipulation. Surgical manipulation leads to the disruption of the blood aqueous barrier, resulting in intraocular inflammation. Postoperative inflammation can lead to complications such as pain, discomfort, photophobia, corneal edema, posterior synechiae, elevation in IOP and cystoid macular edema. Topical corticosteroids are a very effective treatment for postoperative ocular inflammation. Corticosteroids inhibit the release of arachidonic acid from cell membrane phospholipids and prevent the formation of both leukotrienes and prostaglandins, thus disrupting the inflammatory cascade. Corticosteroids have been used to treat ocular inflammation however; they carry a risk of side effects, particularily an increase in IOP. If left untreated, could lead to glaucoma. The postoperative inflammation can be assessed by monitoring anterior chamber signs such as, cell grade, flare grade with slit lamp examination.