Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Modulatory Effects of Intermittent Theta Burst Stimulation in Combination With Mirror Hand Motor Training on Functional Connectivity: A Proof-of-Concept Study

Mirror training (MT) is an observation-based motor learning strategy. Intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) is an accelerated form of excitatory repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) that has been used to enhance the cortical excitability of the motor cortices. This study aims to investigate the combined effects of iTBS with MT on the resting state functional connectivity at alpha frequency band in healthy adults. Eighteen healthy adults were randomized into one of three groups—Group 1: iTBS plus MT, Group 2: iTBS plus sham MT, and Group 3: sham iTBS plus MT. Participants in Groups 1 and 3 observed the mirror illusion of the moving (right) hand in a plain mirror for four consecutive sessions, one session/day, while participants in Group 2 received the same training with a covered mirror. Real or sham iTBS was applied daily over right motor cortex prior to the training. Resting state electroencephalography (EEG) at baseline and post-training was recorded when participants closed their eyes. The mixed-effects model demonstrated a significant interaction effect in the coherence between FC4 and C4 channels, favoring participants in Group 1 over Group 3 (Δβ = −0.84, p = 0.048). A similar effect was also found in the coherence between FC3 and FC4 channels favoring Group 1 over Group 3 (Δβ = −0.43, p = 0.049). In contrast to sham iTBS combined with MT, iTBS combined with MT may strengthen the functional connectivity between bilateral premotor cortices and ipsilaterally within the motor cortex of the stimulated hemisphere. In contrast to sham MT, real MT, when combined with iTBS, might diminish the connectivity among the contralateral parietal–frontal areas.
Early Life Stress and the Fate of Kynurenine Pathway Metabolites

Early life stress (ELS) precedes alterations to neuro-immune activation, which may mediate an increased risk for stress-related psychiatric disorders, potentially through alterations of central kynurenine pathway (KP) metabolites, the latter being relatively unexplored. We hypothesized that ELS in a non-human primate model would lead to a reduction of neuroprotective and increases of neurotoxic KP metabolites. Twelve adult female bonnet macaques reared under conditions of maternal variable foraging demand (VFD) were compared to 27 age- and weight-matched non-VFD-exposed female controls. Baseline behavioral observations of social affiliation were taken over a 12-week period followed by the first cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) sample. Subjects were then either exposed to a 12-week repeated separation paradigm (RSP) or assigned to a “no-RSP” condition followed by a second CSF. We used high-performance liquid chromatography for kynurenine (KYN), tryptophan, 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid, kynurenic acid (KYNA), and anthranilic acid (ANTH) as a proxy for quinolinic acid determination. At baseline, social affiliation scores were reduced in VFD-reared versus control subjects. CSF log KYNA and log KYNA/KYN ratio were lower in VFD-reared versus control subjects. CSF log KYNA/KYN was positively correlated with CSF log ANTH in VFD only (r = 0.82). Controlling for log KYNA/KYN, log ANTH was elevated in VFD-reared subjects versus controls. CSF log KYNA/KYN obtained post-RSP was positively correlated with mean social affiliation scores during RSP, specifically in VFD. ELS is associated with a reduced neuroprotective and increased neurotoxic pathway products. That the two contrasting processes are paradoxically correlated following ELS suggests a cross-talk between two opposing KP enzymatic systems.
Supplemental LED Lighting Effectively Enhances the Yield and Quality of Greenhouse Truss Tomato Production: Results of a Meta-Analysis

Intensive growing systems used for greenhouse tomato production, together with light interception by cladding materials or other devices, may induce intracanopy mutual shading and create suboptimal environmental conditions for plant growth. There are a large number of published peer-reviewed studies assessing the effects of supplemental light-emitting diode (LED) lighting on improving light distribution in plant canopies, increasing crop yields and producing qualitative traits. However, the research results are often contradictory, as the lighting parameters (e.g., photoperiod, intensity, and quality) and environmental conditions vary among conducted experiments. This research presents a global overview of supplemental LED lighting applications for greenhouse tomato production deepened by a meta-analysis aimed at answering the following research question: does supplemental LED lighting enhance the yield and qualitative traits of greenhouse truss tomato production? The meta-analysis was based on the differences among independent groups by comparing a control value (featuring either background solar light or solar + HPS light) with a treatment value (solar + supplemental LED light or solar + HPS + supplemental LED light, respectively) and included 31 published papers and 100 total observations. The meta-analysis results revealed the statistically significant positive effects (p-value < 0.001) of supplemental LED lighting on enhancing the yield (+40%), soluble solid (+6%) and ascorbic acid (+11%) contents, leaf chlorophyll content (+31%), photosynthetic capacity (+50%), and leaf area (+9%) compared to the control conditions. In contrast, supplemental LED lighting did not show a statistically significant effect on the leaf stomatal conductance (p-value = 0.171). In conclusion, in addition to some partial inconsistencies among the considered studies, the present research enables us to assert that supplemental LED lighting ameliorates the quantitative and qualitative aspects of greenhouse tomato production.
Beef Cattle on Pasture Have Better Performance When Supplied With Water Trough Than Pond

The behavior and performance of steers on pasture regarding water availability in troughs or in ponds were compared. Eight paddocks were randomly allocated to one treatment: POND (~30 m of diameter) or TROUGH (water trough, 120 cm diameter and 60 cm high and 500 L capacity). Eight groups of six beef steers were randomly assigned to one of the paddocks. The first 10 days were considered for animal habituation. Animals were individually weighed (days 0, 30, 60, and 90). Beginning in the day after each weighing on days 30 (Month 1), 60 (Month 2), and 90 (Month 3), behavior and animal distribution in the paddock were recorded by direct visual observation in three periods of 4 consecutive days. Water temperature and fecal and herbage DM were also recorded in these periods. Water intake was measured during 16 random days in the troughs. Data were analyzed using Generalized Linear Mixed Models, with treatment and period as fixed effects. TROUGH steers gained more weight (0.44 vs. 0.34 kg/day/animal; P ≤ 0.007) during the experiment and were heavier than the others at the end of the study (P ≤ 0.05). POND steers spent more time drinking water, but TROUGH steers increased the number of drinking events throughout the study (P ≤ 0.05), suggesting an adaptation for the new type of water source. Both treatments increased grazing time throughout the study, but not ruminating time (P ≤ 0.05). Walking time differed between treatments in all periods of behavior observation (P ≤ 0.05). Events of animal licking and ingesting salt of POND steers reduced throughout the study (P ≤ 0.05). The number of drinking events of TROUGH steers increased throughout the study, and drinking events were longer for POND steers than TROUGH steers (P ≤ 0.05). TROUGH steers spent more time on pasture on Month 2 (P ≤ 0.05). Period collection did not affect the water intake of TROUGH treatment (P > 0.05). This study demonstrates that water available in troughs rather than ponds for steers on pasture has positive effects on their weight gain and affects cattle behavior.
Connection Between Chromosomal Location and Function of CtrA Phosphorelay Genes in Alphaproteobacteria

Most bacterial chromosomes are circular, with replication starting at one origin (ori) and proceeding on both replichores toward the terminus (ter). Several studies have shown that the location of genes relative to ori and ter can have profound effects on regulatory networks and physiological processes. The CtrA phosphorelay is a gene regulatory system conserved in most alphaproteobacteria. It was first discovered in Caulobacter crescentus where it controls replication and division into a stalked and a motile cell in coordination with other factors. The locations of the ctrA gene and targets of this response regulator on the chromosome affect their expression through replication-induced DNA hemi-methylation and specific positioning along a CtrA activity gradient in the dividing cell, respectively. Here we asked to what extent the location of CtrA regulatory network genes might be conserved in the alphaproteobacteria. We determined the locations of the CtrA phosphorelay and associated genes in closed genomes with unambiguously identifiable ori from members of five alphaproteobacterial orders. The location of the phosphorelay genes was the least conserved in the Rhodospirillales followed by the Sphingomonadales. In the Rhizobiales a trend toward certain chromosomal positions could be observed. Compared to the other orders, the CtrA phosphorelay genes were conserved closer to ori in the Caulobacterales. In contrast, the genes were highly conserved closer to ter in the Rhodobacterales. Our data suggest selection pressure results in differential positioning of CtrA phosphorelay and associated genes in alphaproteobacteria, particularly in the orders Rhodobacterales, Caulobacterales and Rhizobiales that is worth deeper investigation.
A Biopsychosocial Framework to Guide Interdisciplinary Research on Biathlon Performance

Biathlon is a unique combination of two challenging and remarkably different tasks: cross-country skiing in free technique and rifle shooting in either prone or standing position. Over the past few decades, a growing body of biathlon-specific research considerably improved our understanding of the factors determining biathlon performance (for a review, see Laaksonen et al., 2018). This includes biological aspects of biathlon performance, comprising physiological parameters (e.g., Rundell and Bacharach, 1995; Stoeggl et al., 2015; Laaksonen et al., 2020) as well as biomechanical and motor control factors such as postural control, rifle stability, shoulder force, and triggering or aiming strategies (e.g., Groslambert et al., 1999; Baca and Kornfeind, 2012; Sattlecker et al., 2014; Köykkä et al., 2020). In addition, another branch of research focuses on psychological factors that influence performance, including the role of attentional processes (e.g., Gallicchio et al., 2016; Luchsinger et al., 2016; Heinrich et al., 2020), dealing with psychological pressure (e.g., Vickers and Williams, 2007; Lindner, 2017) and the effectiveness of psychological interventions (e.g., Groslambert et al., 2003; Laaksonen et al., 2011). However, with only one exception (Harb-Wu and Krumer, 2019), biathlon-specific research has largely overlooked the degree to which social context factors may impact biathlon performance. Here, we advocate a holistic approach to gain a more complete understanding of the factors contributing to biathlon performance. Admitting to the fact that biological determinants, psychological factors, and social context never occur in isolation, but instead need to be considered in conjunction, we propose a biopsychosocial framework to guide future research efforts into biathlon performance. This integrative, interdisciplinary, and holistic approach to examine biathlon performance is illustrated in Figure 1. Originally, biopsychosocial approaches were developed in the area of medicine and psychiatry to address limitations of the traditional biomedical model and generally aim at considering behavioral, psychological, and social dimensions when trying to understand a person’s condition (Engel, 1977, 1997). Nowadays, biopsychosocial models have stepped out of their original scope and are widely used, for instance, to explain arousal regulation (Blascovich and Tomaka, 1996) or to examine stress in adolescence (Rith-Najarian et al., 2014). The application of biopsychosocial models in sport is scarce and mainly limited to the field of injuries or pain (e.g., von Rosen et al., 2017; Bumann et al., 2020). Before outlining the specific steps that need to be taken to realize a research agenda in biathlon guided by the proposed biopsychosocial framework, we shortly summarize evidence stemming from research focusing on isolated, that is, biological, psychological, and social aspects of the framework.
Effects of APOE ε2 on the Fractional Amplitude of Low-Frequency Fluctuation in Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Study Based on the Resting-State Functional MRI

Background Apolipoprotein E (APOE) ε2 is a protective genetic factor for Alzheimer’s disease (AD). However, the potential interaction effects between the APOE ε2 allele and disease status on the intrinsic brain activity remain elusive. Methods We identified 73 healthy control (HC) with APOE ε3/ε3, 61 mild cognitive impairment (MCI) subjects with APOE ε3/ε3, 24 HC with APOE ε2/ε3, and 10 MCI subjects with APOE ε2/ε3 from the ADNI database. All subjects underwent a resting-state functional MRI and Fluoro-deoxy-glucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET). We used a fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (fALFF) to explore the spontaneous brain activity. Based on the mixed-effects analysis, we explored the interaction effects between the APOE ε2 allele versus disease status on brain activity and metabolism in a voxel-wise fashion (GRF corrected, p < 0.01), followed by post hoc two-sample t-tests (Bonferroni corrected, p < 0.05). We then investigated the relationship between the mean imaging metrics and cognitive abilities. Results There are no significant differences in gender, age, or education among the four groups. The interaction effect on brain activity was located in the inferior parietal lobule (IPL). Post hoc analysis showed that APOE ε2/ε3 MCI had an increased IPL fALFF than APOE ε3/ε3 MCI. Regarding the APOE ε2 allele effects, we found that ε2 carriers had a decreased fALFF in the transverse temporal gyrus than non-carriers. Also, FDG-PET results showed a lower SUVR of the frontal lobe in APOE ε2 carriers than non-carriers. Furthermore, fALFF of IPL was correlated with the visuospatial function (r = −0.16, p < 0.05). Conclusion APOE ε2 carriers might have a better brain reservation when coping with AD-related pathologies.
Do Students With Different Majors Have Different Personality Traits? Evidence From Two Chinese Agricultural Universities

This paper explores whether a Student’s choice of major leads to certain personality traits and the reasons for this phenomenon. Specifically, we look at evidence from two Chinese universities, both of which specialize in agricultural studies. Using the Sixteen Personality Factor (16PF) questionnaire and the Neuroticism Extraversion Openness Five-Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI) questionnaire, we collected data from two groups of students: those who study agriculture-related majors (ARM), and those who study non-agriculture-related majors (NARM). The surveys all showed no significant change in personality traits during Students’ freshman year. However, after 3 years of university study, significant personality trait changes were noted between seniors in the ARM and NARM groups. Whereas ARM seniors tended to be socially shy and lower in communicative competence, NARM seniors were better at expressing themselves and communicating with others. Although a Student’s choice of profession has an influence on their personality traits, it is not the only factor. The differences between ARM and NARM training models and curricula are also undoubtedly significant. Moreover, the bias against ARM in Chinese society further magnifies the differences in personality traits among students with different majors.
Decoding Covert Speech From EEG-A Comprehensive Review

Over the past decade, many researchers have come up with different implementations of systems for decoding covert or imagined speech from EEG (electroencephalogram). They differ from each other in several aspects, from data acquisition to machine learning algorithms, due to which, a comparison between different implementations is often difficult. This review article puts together all the relevant works published in the last decade on decoding imagined speech from EEG into a single framework. Every important aspect of designing such a system, such as selection of words to be imagined, number of electrodes to be recorded, temporal and spatial filtering, feature extraction and classifier are reviewed. This helps a researcher to compare the relative merits and demerits of the different approaches and choose the one that is most optimal. Speech being the most natural form of communication which human beings acquire even without formal education, imagined speech is an ideal choice of prompt for evoking brain activity patterns for a BCI (brain-computer interface) system, although the research on developing real-time (online) speech imagery based BCI systems is still in its infancy. Covert speech based BCI can help people with disabilities to improve their quality of life. It can also be used for covert communication in environments that do not support vocal communication. This paper also discusses some future directions, which will aid the deployment of speech imagery based BCI for practical applications, rather than only for laboratory experiments.
ZNRF1 Mediates Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Ubiquitination to Control Receptor Lysosomal Trafficking and Degradation

Activation of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is crucial for development, tissue homeostasis, and immunity. Dysregulation of EGFR signaling is associated with numerous diseases. EGFR ubiquitination and endosomal trafficking are key events that regulate the termination of EGFR signaling, but their underlying mechanisms remain obscure. Here, we reveal that ZNRF1, an E3 ubiquitin ligase, controls ligand-induced EGFR signaling via mediating receptor ubiquitination. Deletion of ZNRF1 inhibits endosome-to-lysosome sorting of EGFR, resulting in delayed receptor degradation and prolonged downstream signaling. We further demonstrate that ZNRF1 and Casitas B-lineage lymphoma (CBL), another E3 ubiquitin ligase responsible for EGFR ubiquitination, mediate ubiquitination at distinct lysine residues on EGFR. Furthermore, loss of ZNRF1 results in increased susceptibility to herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) infection due to enhanced EGFR-dependent viral entry. Our findings identify ZNRF1 as a novel regulator of EGFR signaling, which together with CBL controls ligand-induced EGFR ubiquitination and lysosomal trafficking.
Spatial Variation in Microbial Community in Response to As and Pb Contamination in Paddy Soils Near a Pb-Zn Mining Site

Mining activity is a growing environmental concern as it contributes to heavy metals (HMs) pollution in agricultural soils. Microbial communities play an important role in the biogeochemical cycling of HMs and have the potential to be used as bioindicators. Arsenic (As) and lead (Pb) are the most hazardous HMs and are mainly originated from mining activities. However, spatial variation in microbial community in response to As and Pb contamination in paddy soils remains overlooked. In this study, the biological and chemical properties of sixteen soil samples from four sites (N01, N02, N03, and N04) near a Pb-Zn mining site at different As and Pb levels were examined. The results showed that soil pH, total As and Pb, bioavailable As and Pb, nitrate-nitrogen (NO3 −-N) and ammonia-nitrogen (NH4 +-N) were the most important factors in shaping the bacterial community structure. In addition, significant correlations between various bacterial genera and As and Pb concentrations were observed, indicating their potential roles in As and Pb biogeochemical cycling. These findings provide insights into the variation of paddy soil bacterial community in soils co-contaminated with different levels of As and Pb.
Individualism, Competitiveness, and Fear of Negative Evaluation in Pre-adolescents: Does the Teacher’s Controlling Style Matter?

The traditional teaching style in which the teacher is in control and there is a submissive attitude in students is predominant in Mexico. The development of identity in preadolescence is subjected to social groups, which could develop interpersonal difficulties through the controlling teaching style. Although the fear of negative evaluation in students and competitive sport has been studied in education, relatively little research has been done in the area of physical education in relation to the controlling style. The purpose of this study was to investigate the correlation and predictive relationship between controlling teaching and the fear of negative evaluation mediated by the frustration of the basic psychological needs (BPN), controlled motivation, and individualism/competitiveness through the theoretical framework of self-determination theory. Participants were 1132 students in the fifth and sixth grades in public elementary schools in the state of Chihuahua, Mexico, with ages between 10 and 13 (M = 10.51 years; SD = 0.66 years). Results indicate the perceived controlling teaching style positively predicted the fear of negative evaluation in students of this study through BPN frustration, that is positively related to low-quality motivation, which is related to a higher level of individualism/competitiveness. This, in turn, is proven to be a predictor of the fear of negative evaluation. The results also discuss the promotion of the autonomy support style, avoiding the controlling teaching style, for the minimization of negative results related to the perception of fear and the development of student well-being both within and beyond the school context.