Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Yin and Yang of GABAergic and Glutamatergic Synaptic Plasticity: Opposites in Balance by Crosstalking Mechanisms

Synaptic plasticity is a critical process that regulates neuronal activity by allowing neurons to adjust their synaptic strength in response to changes in activity. Despite the high proximity of excitatory glutamatergic and inhibitory GABAergic postsynaptic zones and their functional integration within dendritic regions, concurrent plasticity has historically been underassessed. Growing evidence for pathological disruptions in the excitation and inhibition (E/I) balance in neurological and neurodevelopmental disorders indicates the need for an improved, more “holistic” understanding of synaptic interplay. There continues to be a long-standing focus on the persistent strengthening of excitation (excitatory long-term potentiation; eLTP) and its role in learning and memory, although the importance of inhibitory long-term potentiation (iLTP) and depression (iLTD) has become increasingly apparent. Emerging evidence further points to a dynamic dialogue between excitatory and inhibitory synapses, but much remains to be understood regarding the mechanisms and extent of this exchange. In this mini-review, we explore the role calcium signaling and synaptic crosstalk play in regulating postsynaptic plasticity and neuronal excitability. We examine current knowledge on GABAergic and glutamatergic synapse responses to perturbances in activity, with a focus on postsynaptic plasticity induced by short-term pharmacological treatments which act to either enhance or reduce neuronal excitability via ionotropic receptor regulation in neuronal culture. To delve deeper into potential mechanisms of synaptic crosstalk, we discuss the influence of synaptic activity on key regulatory proteins, including kinases, phosphatases, and synaptic structural/scaffolding proteins. Finally, we briefly suggest avenues for future research to better understand the crosstalk between glutamatergic and GABAergic synapses.
Triangular Love–Hate: Management and Control in Creative Crowdworking

This article analyses the ways in which creative crowdwork is managed and controlled within social and economic power relations. It presents findings from a research project on creative crowdworkers focussing on aspects of management and control. The research shows that the design of the platforms and the strategies of their operating companies clearly structure the triangular relationship between platform, clients and workers. In addition to bureaucratic rules and surveillance exercised by the platform, rating opportunities and other control features utilised by clients strongly impact on crowdworkers’ time use, income and creativity and thus on their working and living conditions.
Inversion of acoustic waveguide propagation features to measure oxygen synthesis by Posidonia oceanica

As part of Yellow Shark experiments in the Giglio basin, off the west coast of Italy, measurements of acoustic waveguide impulse response were conducted in February and May 1995 over an extensive bed of Posidonia oceanica (L.) Delile around Scoglio d'Africa, a minor island of the Tuscan Archipelago. The purpose of the measurements was to determine the applicability of inversion techniques developed for bottom geo-acoustic properties to the monitoring of oxygen synthesis by P. oceanica. A broadband sound source and a 4-element vertical receiving array were bottom moored at 1541 m distance in an isobath (25 m water depth), dense and homogeneous part of the P. oceanian prairie. The waveguide impulse response was measured during one day by 1 min repeated transmissions of broadband signals in the frequency band 0.1-1.6 kHz. The water sound speed profiles calculated from repeated CTD measurements were slightly downward refracting and exhibited little temporal variability except for a mild surface heating in the afternoon. A set of CTD and oxygen profiles as a function of daytime and season was obtained in 1997 to support the present study. In this paper acoustic, solar radiation, oxygen and CTD data are analyzed and discussed. The analysis shows a strong correlation between photosynthesis and the impulse response of the acoustic waveguide. The most evident feature is a marked change of attenuation and time dispersion characteristics when photosynthesis begins. Frequency- and depth-dependent rapid variations of received energy (2-5 dB) and time spread (3-10 ms) are observed. The time of occurrence and rate of change of these variations are consistent with solar time and oxygen concentration measured in situ. The phenomena is attributed to bubbles of photosynthetic oxygen formed on the P. oceanica leaf blades.
Challenges and Implementation Strategies of the Discharge Planning According to the Nurses' Experiences: A Qualitative Study

Background: Implementation of discharge care planning is one of the essential issues in the health care system. A discharge planning is successful when a patient is prepared before the discharge process, the needs are identified, and adequate education is provided. Objectives: The present study aimed to survey the nurses' experiences regarding the challenges and implementation strategies of discharge planning. Methods: We used content analysis with the Lincoln and Guba approach. We purposefully selected nurses with maximum diversity in terms of age, sex, and work experience. The data collection process was performed through using semi-structured interviews. Results: The results were divided into five main categories and 14 subcategories. The main categories included inadequate attention to the discharge planning, lack of standard and approved discharge planning, defects in organizational sub-structure, social barriers, and perceived defects of the current discharge situation. Conclusions: According to the results, a practical step can be taken to better implement the discharge planning through approving a written discharge planning, educating the staff and patients, paying attention to patient follow-up after discharge, improving the sub-structure, and considering the patient needs.
Increased Frequency of Severe Hypoglycemia with the Modified-Release Gliclazide Compared to Glimepiride in Diabetic Older Adults; Propensity Score-Adjusted Analysis

Objective The main aim is to compare the risk of severe hypoglycemia associated with the modified-release (MR) gliclazide against glimepiride in diabetic older adults. Methods All older adult diabetic patients who attended the emergency department (ED) between the 1st of Aug. 2017 and the end of Mar 2020 on gliclazide MR or glimepiride are included in two cohorts. We compared baseline differences between cohorts in demographics, lab results, diabetes complications, comorbidities, and drugs using the chi-squared test for categorical variables and unpaired t-test for continuous variables. All the baseline variables are used in a logistic regression to produce the propensity scores for receiving gliclazide MR. The primary outcome was Severe Hypoglycemia requiring Emergency Admission (SHEA). We used documented hypoglycemia, falls, fractures, Cardiovascular ED Admission (CVEA), and recurrent ED admissions as secondary outcomes. We used a univariate logistic regression followed by a propensity score-adjusted logistic regression to identify the adjusted odds ratio. We did a subgroup analysis for low and moderate-high doses users. Results We included 2320 patients, 1786 were on gliclazide MR while 534 were on glimepiride. The risk of SHEA (Adjusted Odds Ratio AOR 6.74, p=0.002), falls (AOR 1.43, p=0.003), fractures (AOR 1.43, p=0.01), CVEA (AOR 1.66, p<0.001), recurrent ED admission (AOR 1.39, p=0.002) were significantly higher. At the same time, documented hypoglycemia was insignificantly higher (AOR 1.17, p= 0.444) with gliclazide MR compared to glimepiride. The low doses of both treatments did not show any SHEA cases, while the results with higher doses showed the same pattern of increased risk with gliclazide MR as the principle analysis. Conclusion Using gliclazide MR for older patients may not be a relatively safer alternative to avoid severe hypoglycemia and its possible consequences compared to glimepiride. It may be added to glimepiride in the Beers list of medications to be avoided in older adults.
Dynamic Linkage between Aging, Mechanizations and Carbon Emissions from Agricultural Production

The trend of aging is intensifying and has become a prominent population phenomenon worldwide. The aging population has an important impact on carbon emissions, but at present, there is little research on its ecological consequences, especially the relationship with agricultural carbon emissions. For a long time, China has been dominated by a scattered small-scale peasant economy. Currently, the aging population also means that the agricultural labor force will gradually become scarce, and the agricultural production will face reform. This article is intended to find the long-term impact of aging and mechanization on agricultural carbon emissions and construct a more comprehensive policy framework for sustainable development, hoping to contribute to environmental and ecological protection. The research sample in this article is from 2000 to 2019, covering 30 provinces (cities, autonomous regions) in China. We adopted methods and models including Fully Modified General Least Squares (FMOLS), Dynamic General Least Squares (DOLS), Panel Vector Autoregression (PVAR) model, etc., and used the Granger causality test to determine the causal relationship between variables. Results show that aging is the Granger cause of agricultural carbon emissions and agricultural mechanization. Agricultural carbon emissions and agricultural mechanization have a bidirectional causal relationship. In the short term, agricultural mechanization and aging both have made a great contribution to carbon dioxide emissions from agricultural production. However, in the long term, the impact of aging on agricultural mechanization is significantly negative. Therefore, it is generally beneficial to improve the environmental problems of agricultural production. Our research focuses on the latest background of population trends and global climate issues and finally provides suggestions and a theoretical basis for the formulation of government agricultural policies according to the research conclusions.
Development Scheme of JewelSense: Haptic-based Sculpting Tool for Jewelry Design

This paper proposes a framework of development of haptic-based jewelry design named JewelSense. In this paper, a prototype of haptic-based sculpting tool for jewelry was developed to be used in model-making stage. A haptic sculpture tool and haptic system are developed in VC++ and rendered by OpenGL. A 3D virtual sculpting tool is modeled and controlled by a haptic device, which is integrated to virtual jewelry model-making 3D environment through the proposed haptic sculpture interface. Haptic technology is applied to jewelry design as virtual art in which designers and goldsmiths are able to create new designs by using virtual sculpting tool. The tool is used in graving jewelry workpieces, which are represented by virtual material such as virtual wax, in virtual jewelry model-making environment. The new shape modeling system allows users to utilize their handicraft skills while working in the virtual environment. The system allows a less constrained, more natural and intuitive interaction with virtual models especially in conceptual design phase. Users are able to physically feel with the designing object while working on the haptic-based sculpting tool. The virtual tool helps for reducing cost and time in product design process. However, this tool is also applicable to other industrial designs.
High-Throughput Phenotyping Accelerates the Dissection of the Phenotypic Variation and Genetic Architecture of Shank Vascular Bundles in Maize (Zea mays L.)

The vascular bundle of the shank is an important ‘flow’ organ for transforming maize biological yield to grain yield, and its microscopic phenotypic characteristics and genetic analysis are of great significance for promoting the breeding of new varieties with high yield and good quality. In this study, shank CT images were obtained using the standard process for stem micro-CT data acquisition at resolutions up to 13.5 μm. Moreover, five categories and 36 phenotypic traits of the shank including related to the cross-section, epidermis zone, periphery zone, inner zone and vascular bundle were analyzed through an automatic CT image process pipeline based on the functional zones. Next, we analyzed the phenotypic variations in vascular bundles at the base of the shank among a group of 202 inbred lines based on comprehensive phenotypic information for two environments. It was found that the number of vascular bundles in the inner zone (IZ_VB_N) and the area of the inner zone (IZ_A) varied the most among the different subgroups. Combined with genome-wide association studies (GWAS), 806 significant single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified, and 1245 unique candidate genes for 30 key traits were detected, including the total area of vascular bundles (VB_A), the total number of vascular bundles (VB_N), the density of the vascular bundles (VB_D), etc. These candidate genes encode proteins involved in lignin, cellulose synthesis, transcription factors, material transportation and plant development. The results presented here will improve the understanding of the phenotypic traits of maize shank and provide an important phenotypic basis for high-throughput identification of vascular bundle functional genes of maize shank and promoting the breeding of new varieties with high yield and good quality.
A Mixed Brood of Coal Tits Periparus ater and Blue Tits Cyanistes caeruleus in Central Portugal

Mixed-species broods appear to be an uncommon phenomenon in altricial birds. In secondary hole-nesting birds, such as tits (Paridae), mixed-species clutches occur as a consequence of facultative interspecific brood parasitism or as a byproduct of nest takeover. Here, we report a case of a mixed-species brood composed of one Coal Tit Periparus ater and three Blue Tit Cyanistes caeruleus nestlings that was successfully raised by a Blue Tit pair. The foreign Coal Tit nestling received more food than its Blue Tit nestmates, possibly resulting in a larger tarsus length compared to other Coal Tit nestlings from a regular single-species brood in the same forest.
Dynamics of self-assembled structures in Eciton army ants

iii Acknowledgments . iv Introduction . 1 Evolution and behavior of army ants . 1 Study species: Eciton burchellii and Eciton hamatum . 6 Traffic organization and self-assemblages . 18 Description of chapters . 27 1 | Army ants dynamically adjust living bridges in response to a cost-benefit trade-off Abstract . 28 Introduction . 29 Materials and Methods . 32 Data collection and analysis . 34 Model parameter estimates . 35 Results . 36 Geometric model of the cost-benefit relationship . 37 Cost-benefit optimization model of bridge dynamics . 39 Discussion . 42 Acknowledgments . 47
Fake News and Misinformation: Covid-19 & Challenges Confronted by Malaysian’s Ministry of Health

The COVID-19 pandemic has emerged as a significant global public health crisis. Malaysia has announced several Movement Control Orders (MCO) to tackle the spread of COVID-19. Amidst this, there has been a hidden epidemic of information that makes COVID-19 stand out as a digital infodemic with plethora of misinformation, rumors and conspiracy theories. Repeated and detailed content on COVID-19, geographical statistics, and multiple sources of information have lead to chronic stress and confusion. This has challenged the Malaysian Ministry of Health to encounter fake information circulation on social media since March 2020 despite political struggles and the change of government. This paper aims to identify types of fake misinformation circulated during the MCO and to what extent the ministry have curb fake information. Using qualitative method, textual analysis applied to the selected social media platforms which were identified based on the pages hits along with the ministry’s social media pages. Posted headings, pictures, figures, news and intervention actions taken by the ministry were examined according to thematical approach. The findings show that Malaysia had an extensive circulation of fake news on COVID-19 fake remedies, vaccines extreme views, and doubt on health strategies.
Effects of aloe-emodin on alveolar bone in Porphyromonas gingivalis-induced periodontitis rat model: a pilot study

Purpose Aloe-emodin (AE), a natural anthraquinone abundant in aloe plants and rhubarb (Rheum rhabarbarum), has long been used to treat chronic inflammatory diseases. However, AE’s underlying mechanisms in periodontal inflammation have not been fully elucidated. Acidic mammalian chitinase (AMCase) is a potential biomarker involved in bone remodeling. This study aimed to evaluate AE’s effect on periodontitis in rats and investigate AMCase expression. Methods Eighteen Sprague-Dawley rats were separated into the following groups: healthy (group 1), disease (group 2), vehicle (group 3), AE high-dose (group 4), and AE low-dose (group 5). Porphyromonas gingivalis ligatures were placed in rats (groups 2–5) for 7 days. Groups 4 and 5 were then treated with AE for an additional 14 days. Saliva was collected from all groups, and probing pocket depth was measured in succession. Periodontal pocket tissues were subjected to histomorphometric analysis after the rats were sacrificed. Bone marrow-derived macrophages and murine macrophages were stimulated with receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL) and treated with different concentrations of AE. AMCase expression was detected from the analysis of saliva, periodontal pocket tissues, and differentiated osteoclasts. Results Among rats with P. gingivalis-induced periodontitis, the alveolar bone resorption levels and periodontal pocket depth were significantly reduced after treatment with AE. AMCase protein expression was significantly higher in the disease group than in the healthy control (P<0.05). However, AE inhibited periodontal inflammation by downregulating AMCase expression in saliva and periodontal pocket tissue. AE significantly reduced RANKL-stimulated osteoclastogenesis by modulating AMCase (P<0.05). Conclusions AE decreases alveolar bone loss and periodontal inflammation, suggesting that this natural anthraquinone has potential value as a novel therapeutic agent against periodontal disease.
Modelling and mathematical optimisation of wastewater treatment in food industries

The current paper describes the work carried out in the Horizon 2020 AFTERLIFE project – "Advanced Filtration TEchnologies for the Recovery and Later conversIon of relevant Fractions from wastEwater" – (Grant Agreement no. 745737) which focuses on bioprocess modelling and optimisation using computational tools. The project addresses the development of a flexible, cost- and resource-efficient process framed in the zero-waste and circular economy approach for the recovery and valorisation of the relevant fractions from wastewater. The first step of such a process is an initial step consisting of a cascade of membrane filtration units to separate the total solids in sewage. Then, the concentrates recovered in each unit will be treated to obtain high-pure extracts and metabolites or to be converted into value-added biopolymers (polyhydroxyalkanoates). Moreover, the outflow of the process is an ultra-pure water stream that can be directly reused. Following a holistic approach, the design and optimisation of the AFTERLIFE process will improve performance and reduce the costs associated with wastewater treatment by maximising the value recovery. The paper focuses on the work done developing and implementing computational tools to model and optimise the design of the process. A framework for modelling-based optimisation has been developed. The applied optimisation approach is not computationally demanding and can be systematically applied to different processes. Finally, a use case establishing a scenario for testing the developed framework is described. The defined process model and optimisation methodology were applied to simulate the treatment of wastewater from the fish processing industry. The performance of the optimisation tool is analysed considering the simulation results.
Control of switched systems : application to electrical systems

In this thesis , conducted in the context of a grant CIFRE between laboratory ECS-Lab and the company GS Maintenance, we focused on the control and observation of electrical systems, particularly multicellular converter series and the series DC motor.The floating voltages of the multicell topology need to be balanced to specific values. PWM control techniques provide such a balance but favor the slow dynamics. Moreover, if the numbers of cells is not prime, there exist duty-cycles which could destabilize the converter. To overcome these drawbacks, we propose direct control strategies based on sliding mode techniques for 2 and 3-cell converters. These are simple, allow fast dynamics, and can be easily extended to any number of cell with little overhead. They have been tested in simulation and experimentally via a real-time dSpace board on a 2 and 3-cell converter develloped during this thesis at ECS-Lab. It is important to emphasize that an industrial version of the converter has been manufactured at GS Maintenance and sold to Qatar University.Moreover, in the context of the appication of multicell converters, a Zig-Zag sliding mode control law has been proposed to overcome quantization and saturation problems found in real actuators.The second part of this work adresses the synthetization of an super-twistign observer/estimator scheme to estimate the speed of a sensorless DC series motor. The proposed observation strategy is dedicated to an industrial application in the context of oil drilling. It provides a solution to the problem of observation generated by operating at zero or low current. This strategy has been tested on an experimental bench developed in this thesis within GS Maintenance.
Deep sparse autoencoder integrated with three‐stage framework for glaucoma diagnosis

Recently, end‐to‐end deep neural networks‐based glaucoma diagnosis approaches have been gaining much attention. However, the feature extractor and classier in these approaches are trained together, which is known as coadaptation. Therefore, the feature distribution in them should adapt to particular decision boundaries. To learn generic data representations and improve the generalization ability of the model, this paper designs a three‐stage framework for glaucoma diagnosis. In the first stage, preprocessing is utilized to extract the Region of Interesting around the Optic Disc to reduce the computational cost and nonobjective interference. In the second stage, Deep Sparse Autoencoder is designed to learn hybrid features between the deep features and the original features, which could improve the effectiveness of final high‐level feature expression. Meanwhile, L1 regularization is introduced and applied on the hybrid features to obtain deep features with high complementarity under small sample problem. In the third stage, the obtained generic feature representations are fed into different classifiers, in which Support Vector Machine classifier achieves the best diagnosis performance. The proposed approach is evaluated on two publicly available databases. Extensive experimental results indicate that our approach outperforms the state‐of‐the‐art approaches with the accuracy of 96.00%, 97.00% and Area Under Curve of 96.94%, 98.28% for REFUGE and Drishti‐GS1 databases, respectively.