Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Sleep and the aging brain. A multifaceted approach

ABSTRACT In the current review we provide a theoretical background on studies examining the association between sleep and brain function. We focus on the association between sleep and cognitive performance, cognitive changes over time and incident dementia as well. We then present some data on the link between sleep and subjective cognitive complaints, in participants without any objective clinical cognitive decline. We conclude with investigating the association between sleep and brain biomarkers, by highlighting the importance of specific genes and specific brain regions’ morphometry. The role of sleep is vital in maintaining a healthy aging brain, and multiple factors should be taken under account when investigating this association.
Allelopathic potentials of residues of 6 brassica species on johnsongrass [Sorghum halepense (L.) Pers.]

Johnsongrass ( Sorghum halepense (L.) Pers. ) is a troublesome weed species of many crops in Turkey as well as worldwide. Allelopathic potential of residues of some brassica species, which are round white radish ( Raphanus sativus L.), garden radish ( R. sativus L.), black radish ( R. sativus L. var. niger ), little radish ( R. sativus L. var. radicula , turnip ( Brassica campestris L. subsp. rapa ) and rapeseed ( Brassica napus L. oleifera DC.) on johnsongrass were investigated under both laboratory and field conditions. All species suppressed johnsongrass in field and laboratory conditions. The lowest suppression was from garden radish, which has already been used to control johnsongrass by few farmers in Turkey. It is concluded that the plants studied can be used to control johnsongrass. Higher amount of isothiocyanates (isothiocyanate benzyl, Isothiocyanate allyl) in black radish extract and lower amount of isothiocyanates at garden radish extract were determined. Parallel results for johnsongrass suppression and amount of isothiocyanates show that allelopathy play roles in johnsongrass suppression by brassica species.
New Delias butterflies from the Solomon Islands (Lepidoptera: Pieridae)

Abstract Four new taxa of Delias from the Solomon Islands are described. Two are races of a new species, D‐messalina sp.n. , which may be closely related to D.nigrina Fabricius and is distributed over three islands. The nominotypical subspecies, D.m. messalina subsp.n. , occurs in Bougainville while D.m. orientalis subsp.n. is found on Santa Ysabel and Guadalcanal. The other two, D.alberti guava subsp.n. from Bougainville and D.alberti tetamba subsp.n. from Santa Ysabel, represent new subspecies of D.alberti Rothschld. Couplets for the inclusion of the new taxa in the standard key in Talbot are provided. In addition, a list of Solomon Islands Delias is given, together with brief distributional data.
The Application of Patient-Derived Xenograft Models in Gynecologic Cancers

Recently, due to the limitations of cell line models and animal models in the preclinical research with insufficient reflecting the physiological situation of humans, patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models of many cancers have been widely developed because of their better representation of the tumor heterogeneity and tumor microenvironment with retention of the cellular complexity, cytogenetics, and stromal architecture. PDX models now have been identified as a powerful tool for determining cancer characteristics, developing new treatment, and predicting drug efficacy. An increase in attempts to generate PDX models in gynecologic cancers has emerged in recent years to understand tumorigenesis. Hence, this review summarized the generation of PDX models and engraftment success of PDX models in gynecologic cancers. Furthermore, we illustrated the similarity between PDX model and original tumor, and described preclinical utilization of PDX models in gynecologic cancers. It would help supply better personalized therapy for gynecologic cancer patients.
Benefits of a College STEM Faculty Development Initiative: Instructors Report Increased and Sustained Implementation of Research-Based Instructional Strategies

The Summer Institutes on Scientific Teaching (SI) is a faculty development workshop in which science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) instructors, particularly from biology, are trained in the Scientific Teaching (ST) pedagogy. While participants have generally reported positive experiences, we aimed to assess how the SI affected participants’ teaching practices. Building on a previously developed taxonomy of ST practices, we surveyed SI participants from the 2004–2014 SI classes regarding specific ST practices. Participants’ self-reported use and implementation of ST practices increased immediately after SI attendance as well as over a longer time frame, suggesting that implementation persisted and even increased with time. However, instructors reported implementation gains for some practices more than others. The practices with the highest gains were engaging students in their own learning, using learning goals in course design, employing formative assessment, developing overarching course learning goals, representing science as a process, and facilitating group discussion activities. We propose that the ST practices showing the greatest gains may serve as beneficial focal points for professional development programs, while practices with smaller gains may require modified dissemination approaches or support structures.
Is COVID-19 Similar in Pregnant and Non-Pregnant Women?

Approximately one-third of infected pregnant women died from severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) and the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) epidemics of the past two decades. It is logical to predict that pregnant women infected with the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) might be at higher risk for severe illness, morbidity, or mortality compared with non-pregnant women. However, a review of the literature indicates that pregnant women are not more likely to be seriously ill than other healthy non-pregnant women if they develop coronavirus disease (COVID-19). This observation begs the question: “Why does pregnancy not increase the risk for acquiring SARS-CoV-2 infection, nor does it worsen the clinical course of COVID-19 compared with non-pregnant individuals? ” Herein, we try to explain our observations when considering whether the immunologic changes of pregnancy and other physiologic adaptations of pregnancy affect the virulence and course of SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Freqüência alimentar na larvicultura do trairão (Hoplias lacerdae)

The effects of feeding management strategies on larval rearing of trairao were evaluated in this trial. Eight-d old larvae were counted and stocked in 20 experimental containers (units with volume of 5 L each), with constant aeration and temperature. The stocking density was 30 larvae/L. The following treatments (feeding frequency) were used: F1 - once a day, F2 - twice a day, F3 - three times a day, F4 - four times a day, each with five replicates. Feeding rate was equal for all treatments. In order to evaluate the animal growth, some samples were collected every five days. At the end of the experiment, after 23 days, the survival, mortality, rates of cannibalism and stress resistance were also evaluated. No significant difference was observed among the growth parameters at 13 days. However, after 18 and 23 days, F1 treatment showed the lowest length and weight averages. No differences of larval specific growth rate due to the feeding frequencies were observed. No effects of feeding frequency on rates of survival, mortality, cannibalism and stress resistance were detected. The survival rates showed the highest values (93%) during the experiment. Thus, trairao larvae can be fed only twice a day, with no changes on growth, at least during the initial rearing (first 23 days).
Apart but not Alone? A cross-sectional study of neighbour support in a major UK urban area during the COVID-19 lockdown

Background: Evidence from a range of major public health incidents shows that neighbour-based action can have a critical role in emergency response, assistance and recovery. However, there is little research to date on neighbour-based action during the 2020 coronavirus pandemic. This article reports on a survey of people engaged in supporting their neighbours in weeks three and four of the UK COVID-19 lockdown. Methods: Members of area-based and community of interest COVID-19 support groups in the Bristol conurbation were invited to complete an online survey. Of 1,255 people who clicked on the survey link, 862 responded; of these, 539 responses were eligible for analysis. Results: Respondents reported providing a wide range of support that went beyond health information, food and medical prescription assistance, to include raising morale through humour, creativity and acts of kindness and solidarity. A substantial proportion felt that they had become more involved in neighbourhood life following the lockdown and had an interest in becoming more involved in future. Neighbour support spanned all adult age groups, including older people categorised as being at-risk to the virus. With respect to most measures, there were no differences in the characteristics of support between respondents in areas of higher and lower deprivation. However, respondents from more deprived areas were more likely to state that they were involved in supporting certain vulnerable groups. Conclusions: As with previous research on major social upheavals, our findings suggest that responses to the viral pandemic and associated social restrictions may increase existing social and health inequalities, and further research should explore this issue in more depth.
Prevalence of overweight/obesity, anaemia and their associations among female university students in Dubai, United Arab Emirates: a cross-sectional study

The present study assessed the associations of overweight, obesity and anaemia with selected lifestyle factors, total body fat and abdominal obesity among female university students in Dubai. A total of 251 female students from a national university in Dubai participated in the present study. Weight, height, waist circumference, Hb level and total body fat percentage were measured. Participants also completed a self-reported questionnaire that included items related to the factors of obesity, anaemia and lifestyle. The study was approved by the University Ethical Committee. Almost one-third of the participants were overweight/obese; 8⋅5 % had abdominal obesity while 18⋅1 % had anaemia. Out of the total, 71⋅7 % reported that they have irregular meals and the highest percentages were found among obese (89⋅3 %) and overweight (78⋅0 %) compared with normal-weight (65⋅4 %) students (P < 0⋅05). Overweight/obese students reported that they exercise more than those of normal weight (P = 0⋅05). Students with anaemia reported less exercise than students without anaemia (P = 0⋅05). Also, the percentage of total body fat was found to be the highest (38⋅9 %) among students with anaemia (P < 0⋅05). Overweight, obesity and anaemia are prevalent among female university students. Anaemia seems to be associated with the percentage of total body fat, lack of physical activity and junk food. Further studies are required to investigate the detailed dietary habits of overweight and obese young adult females with anaemia.
Serum Exosomal miR-941 as a promising Oncogenic Biomarker for Laryngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

At present, no blood-based biomarkers have been used in clinical practice for laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC). Increasing evidence suggests that circulating exosomal microRNAs (miRNAs) may serve as potential diagnostic biomarkers for various cancers. This study aims to identify and evaluate serum exosomal miRNAs for LSCC diagnosis. The ExoQuick solution (EQ), which provides a high-yield and is a highly efficient exosome isolation method, was selected to isolate serum exosomes in the current study. In LSCC samples, exosome concentrations were higher than in healthy control (HC) samples. RNA-seq analysis identified a total of 1608 miRNAs, with 34 upregulated and 41 downregulated in LSCC samples relative to HC samples. Furthermore, qRT-PCR showed that miR-941 is significantly upregulated in LSCC serum exosomes, with this same trend seen in LSCC tissues and cells. Moreover, when examining miR-941 in cell lines, miR-941 overexpression promoted proliferation and invasion, while miR-941 knockdown inhibited cell proliferation and invasion. ROC curve analysis showed that miR-941 has an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.797 (95% CI = 0.676-0.918) for distinguishing LSCC patients from HCs. In conclusion, serum exosomal miR-941 may serve as a promising oncogenic biomarker for diagnosing LSCC, and has the potential as a therapeutic target.
Changes in the behavioural determinants of health during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic: gender, socioeconomic and ethnic inequalities in 5 British cohort studies

Background: The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and consequent physical distancing measures are expected to have far-reaching consequences on population health, particularly in already disadvantaged groups. These consequences include changes in health impacting behaviours (such as exercise, sleep, diet and alcohol use) which are arguably important drivers of health inequalities. We sought to add to the rapidly developing empirical evidence base investigating the impacts of the pandemic on such behavioural outcomes. Methods: Using data from five nationally representative British cohort studies (born 2001, 1990, 1970, 1958, and 1946), we investigated sleep, physical activity (exercise), diet, and alcohol intake (N=14,297). Using measures of each behaviour reported before and during lockdown, we investigated change in each behaviour, and whether such changes differed by age/cohort, gender, ethnicity, and socioeconomic position (SEP; childhood social class, education attainment, and adult reporting of financial difficulties). Binary or ordered logistic regression models were used, adjusting for prior measures of each health behaviour and accounting for study design and non-response weights. Meta-analyses were used to pool cohort-specific estimates and formally test for heterogeneity across cohorts. Results: Changes in these outcomes occurred in in both directions ie, shifts from the middle part of the distribution to both declines and increases in sleep, exercise, and alcohol use. For all outcomes, older cohorts were less likely to report changes in behaviours compared with younger cohorts. In the youngest cohort (born 2001), the following shifts were more evident: increases in exercise, fruit and vegetable intake, sleep, and less frequent alcohol consumption. After adjustment for prior behaviour levels, during lockdown females were less likely to sleep within the typical range (6-9 hours) yet exercised more frequently; lower SEP was associated with lower odds of sleeping within the typical range (6-9 hours), lower exercise participation, and lower consumption of fruit and vegetables; and ethnic minorities were less likely than White participants to sleep within the typical range (6-9 hours), exercise less frequently, yet reported less frequent alcohol consumption. Conclusions: Our findings highlight the multiple changes to behavioural outcomes that may have occurred due to COVID-19 lockdown, and the differential impacts across generation, gender, SEP and ethnicity. Such changes require further monitoring given their possible implications to population health and the widening of health inequalities.
Strategies of a small nectarivorous marsupial, the western pygmy-possum, in response to seasonal variation in food availability

Abstract The foraging behavior of the western pygmy-possum (Cercartetus concinnus) was investigated at Innes National Park (INP), South Australia, in the context of understanding survival strategies in a variable environment. Individual C. concinnus were radiotracked continuously for periods of up to 9 days over a 1-year period. Movements, timing of activity, and use of food trees were recorded, as well as information on availability of floral resources. Nectar feeding was the most common feeding behavior when the nectar of Eucalyptus spp. was available. Eucalyptus rugosa was the preferred food source; other myrtaceous species were used when flowers of E. rugosa were unavailable and possums switched to sap and lerp when nectar was scarce. Movement patterns of C. concinnus varied seasonally and among individual animals. C. concinnus was capable of traveling long distances of up to 4.7 km in a single night in search of resources. Areas of use tended to be larger when E. rugosa was flowering (up to 300 ha), but possums also undertook long-distance travel to reach resources when nectar was rare. These long-distance movements suggest that the home ranges of C. concinnus can be several hundred hectares in size. C. concinnus at INP rely on long-distance movements, diet-switching, floristically and structurally diverse habitats, and torpor to cope with temporal and spatial fluctuations in resource availability.
Analysis in the Arabic Language Using Machine Learning

Sentiment Analysis in the Arabic Language Using Machine Learning Sentiment analysis has recently become one of the growing areas of research related to natural language processing and machine learning. Much opinion and sentiment about specific topics are available online, which allows several parties such as customers, companies and even governments, to explore these opinions. The first task is to classify the text in terms of whether or not it expresses opinion or factual information. Polarity classification is the second task, which distinguishes between polarities (positive, negative or neutral) that sentences may carry. The analysis of natural language text for the identification of subjectivity and sentiment has been well studied in terms of the English language. Conversely, the work that has been carried out in terms of Arabic remains in its infancy; thus, more cooperation is required between research communities in order for them to offer a mature sentiment analysis system for Arabic. There are recognized challenges in this field; some of which are inherited from the nature of the Arabic language itself, while others are derived from the scarcity of tools and sources. This dissertation provides the rationale behind the current work and proposed methods to enhance the performance of sentiment analysis in the Arabic language. The first step is to increase the resources that help in the analysis process; the most important part of this task is to have annotated sentiment corpora. Several free corpora are available for the English language, but these resources are still limited in other languages, such as Arabic. This dissertation describes the work undertaken by the author to enrich sentiment analysis in Arabic by building a new Arabic Sentiment Corpus. The data is labeled not only with
Study abroad and the internet: physical and virtual context in an era of expanding telecommunications

Some well-known study abroad research fails to mention the date at which data was collected, while other papers aggregate studies undertaken a decade or more apart. This article suggests that the date at which a study was undertaken may significantly impact upon the study abroad context, and in particular that the varying availability and use of electronic communications across time and place can mean very different experiences for the students involved. The argument is illustrated by data from a 2009 questionnaire study of students undertaking a work placement in Dakar, Senegal, West Africa under a continuing programme organised for more than two decades by the University of Portsmouth, UK. The very different patterns of telecommunications development in home and host countries, and the related pattern of use by students abroad, highlight the variability of this element of study abroad context, and suggest areas to explore in subsequent qualitative studies. These include in particular the extent to which, thanks to links with the home environment, students may be physically in a study abroad location, but virtually – that is to say affectively and psychologically – back in the home context, a situation which might be expected to hamper acculturation and social integration, and thus reduce the benefits of the immersion experience.
A biochemical genetic analysis of populations of the northern pike, Esox lucius L., from Europe and North America

Genetic variation as identified by starch gel electrophoresis and enzyme staining was studied in seven populations of the northern pike, Esox lucius L. Samples derived from populations in northern U.S., Canada, Swedish fresh water, Swedish Baltic, the Netherlands, England and Ireland were analysed for variation at between 10 and 26 enzyme-coding loci. Polymorphism was found to be restricted to three loci: Sod-1 (mitochondrial superoxide dismutase), Ldh-2 (heart-type lactate dehydrogenase) and Got-1 (cytoplasmic glutamateoxalate transaminase). Mean heterozygosity (H) over all seven population samples was estimated to be 0·019. This extremely low variability, relative to reported data for other fish species, is discussed in terms of the structure and possible origins of pike populations.
Medium Term Load Forecasting Using Statistical Feature Self Organizing Maps (SOM)

Load forecasting is an essential tool for power system activity and planning. With the increase in development and the expansion of power system, it is important for the electrical utility to make a decision in ensuring that there would be enough supply of electricity to deal with the increasing demand. This research presents the Medium Term Load Forecasting using the artificial neural networks: Kohonen’s Self-organizing Maps. The main purpose of this paper was to understand the ability of Self-Organizing Maps in forecasting the load demand and to train and test via SelfOrganizing Maps method using the selected features. Using data provided by the Global Energy Forecasting Competition (GEFCom2012), this paper focused on the missing data from the year 2005 and 2006 for the load forecasting. The loaded data were trained, tested, and forecasted using SOM Toolbox in MATLAB software. The accuracy of the forecasted data was determined by calculating the error of each forecasted data by comparing them with the actual data. Then, the Mean Absolute Percentage Error was computed to determine the accuracy of the results.
Seasonal fluctuations in the sexual activity of Awassi, German Mutton Merino, Corriedale, Border-Leicester and Dorset Horn rams:II. Seasonal changes in semen characteristics

Semen characteristics of local and imported rams were studied over a period of 2 years. Awassi and Border-Leicester rams with regular Awassi and Border-Leicester rams with regular semen collections throughout the year showed definite seasonal variations in the volume and number of sperms in their ejaculates: maximum levels during the autumn and minimum during the spring months. The sperm density reached its maximum during the spring and its minimum during the autumn as a result of the opposite changes of the semen volume. In the rams without regular semen collections, as those kept in the flock, these seasonal changes were not distinct. In the imported rams from breeds without a