Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Neurophysiology of Avian Sleep: Comparing Natural Sleep and Isoflurane Anesthesia

Propagating slow-waves in electroencephalogram (EEG) or local field potential (LFP) recordings occur during non-rapid eye-movement (NREM) sleep in both mammals and birds. Moreover, in both, input from the thalamus is thought to contribute to the genesis of NREM sleep slow-waves. Interestingly, the general features of slow-waves are also found under isoflurane anesthesia. However, it is unclear to what extent these slow-waves reflect the same processes as those giving rise to NREM sleep slow-waves. Similar slow-wave spatio-temporal properties during NREM sleep and isoflurane anesthesia would suggest that both types of slow-waves are based on related processes. We used a 32-channel silicon probe connected to a transmitter to make intra-cortical recordings of the visual hyperpallium in naturally sleeping and isoflurane anesthetized pigeons (Columba livia) using a within-bird design. Under anesthesia, the amplitude of LFP slow-waves was higher when compared to NREM sleep. Spectral power density across all frequencies (1.5–100 Hz) was also elevated. In addition, slow-wave coherence between electrode sites was higher under anesthesia, indicating higher synchrony when compared to NREM sleep. Nonetheless, the spatial distribution of slow-waves under anesthesia was more comparable to NREM sleep than to wake or REM sleep. Similar to NREM sleep, slow-wave propagation under anesthesia mainly occurred in the thalamic input layers of the hyperpallium, regions which also showed the greatest slow-wave power during both recording conditions. This suggests that the thalamus could be involved in the genesis of slow-waves under both conditions. Taken together, although slow-waves under isoflurane anesthesia are stronger, they share spatio-temporal activity characteristics with slow-waves during NREM sleep.
Differential Geometric Foundations for Power Flow Computations

This paper aims to systematically and comprehensively initiate a foundation for using concepts from computational differential geometry as instruments for power flow computing and research. At this point we focus our discussion on the static case, with power flow equations given by quadratic functions defined on voltage space with values in power space; both spaces have real Euclidean coordinates. Central issue is a differential geometric analysis of the power flow solution space boundary (SSB) both in voltage and in power space. We present different methods for computing tangent vectors, tangent planes and normals of the SSB and the normals' derivatives. Using the latter we compute normal and principal curvatures. All this is needed for tracing the orthogonal projection of curves in voltage and power space onto the SSB for points on the SSB cosest to given points on the curves, thus obtaining estimates for the distance to the SSB. Furthermore, we present a new high precision continuation method for power flow solutions. We also compute geodesics on the SSB or an implicitly defined submanfold thereof and, used to define geodesic coordinates together with their Jacobians on the manifolds. These computations might be the most innovative and most significant contribution of this paper, because this concept provides a comprehensive coordinate system for sub many folds defined by implicit equations. Therefore while moving on geodesics described by the geodesic coordinates of the sub manifold at hand we get, via systematic navigation guided by geodesic coordinates, access to all feasible operation points of the system. We propose some applications and show some properties of the Jacobian of the power flow map.
Effectiveness of instructor-guided independent learning in comparison to traditional didactic lecture in the preclinical medical curriculum: A retrospective cohort study

Abstract Introduction: To create time for learner-centered forms of active learning in the classroom, didactic lectures are being replaced with instructor-guided independent learning (IGIL) assignments that students complete on their own outside of the formal educational setting. The effectiveness of IGIL assignments in supporting learning across the preclinical medical curriculum when applied to all learners in the same class of students has not been examined. Further, we have examined this performance across three class cohorts. Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, we compared student performance on questions from both IGIL assignments and didactic lectures that were items on the end-of-course summative examinations. Data were analyzed from three classes of graduating students in each of the 14 courses that comprise our preclinical medical curriculum. Results: The results of this study suggest that IGIL assignments were as effective as didactic lectures in supporting student learning in our preclinical medical curriculum. Importantly, IGIL assignments supported learning for both low and high performing students. Conclusions: Students can effectively learn from IGIL assignments when the assignments are well-designed and their importance in the curriculum is emphasized.
Changes Over a Decade in Anthropometry and Fitness of Elite Austrian Youth Soccer Players

Increases in physical (e.g., high-intensity running and sprinting), technical (e.g., passing rate), and tactical (e.g., player density) aspects made elite level soccer more challenging within the past years. The aim of the study was to evaluate whether these evolutions are also been reflected in changes in anthropometric and fitness characteristics between former (2002 to 2005) and current (2012 to 2015) elite Austrian youth development center (U13 to U14) and soccer academy (U15 to U18) players. A battery of anthropometric, general and soccer-specific fitness tests was conducted annually at the end of each year. Independent t-test and Cohen’s d (ES) were calculated to compare the two four-year periods (2530 vs. 2611 players) at each age group separately. Current players were significantly faster in 20 m sprint (ES = 0.26–0.50) and reaction test (ES = 0.15–0.39, except for U18), but less flexible at sit-and-reach (ES = –0.19 to –0.55), in all age categories. Whereas height (ES = 0.26–0.32), body mass (ES = 0.11–0.18) and countermovement jump (ES = 0.24–0.26) increased significantly at youth development center level, current academy players performed superior at shuttle sprint (ES = 0.21–0.59), hurdles agility run (ES = 0.24–0.49), and endurance run (ES = 0.11–0.20). These changes over time in speed, change-of-direction ability, lower-body power, coordination, and endurance were attributed to modern training approaches (e.g., modified games and change-of-direction drills) and modifications in selection politics (e.g., coaches favor speed and decision-making skills).
Increased glycolysis mediates Wnt7b‐induced bone formation

Wingless/integrated (Wnt) signaling has emerged as a major mechanism for promoting bone formation and a target pathway for developing bone anabolic agents against osteoporosis. However, the downstream events mediating the potential therapeutic effect of Wnt proteins are not fully understood. Previous studies have indicated that increased glycolysis is associated with osteoblast differentiation in response to Wnt signaling, but direct genetic evidence for the importance of glucose metabolism in Wnt‐induced bone formation is lacking. Here, we have generated compound transgenic mice to overexpress Wnt family member 7B (Wnt7b) transiently in the osteoblast lineage of postnatal mice, with or without concurrent deletion of the glucose transporter 1 (Glut1), also known as solute carrier family 2, facilitated glucose transporter member 1. Overexpression of Wnt7b in 1‐mo‐old mice for 1 wk markedly stimulated bone formation, but the effect was essentially abolished without Glut1, even though transient deletion of Glut1 itself did not affect normal bone accrual. Consistent with the in vivo results, Wnt7b increased Glut1 expression and glucose consumption in the primary culture of osteoblast lineage cells, and deletion of Glut1 diminished osteoblast differentiation in vitro. Thus, Wnt7b promotes bone formation in part through stimulating glucose metabolism in osteoblast lineage cells. —Chen, H. , Ji, X. , Lee, W. ‐C. , Shi, Y. , Li, B. , Abel, E. D. , Jiang, D. , Huang, W. , Long, F. Increased glycolysis mediates Wnt7b‐induced bone formation. FASEB J. 33, 7810–7821 (2019). www.fasebj. org
Deciding with Judgment

This paper shows how to incorporate judgment in a decision problem under uncertainty, within a classical framework. The method relies on the specification of a judgmental decision with associated confidence level and application of hypothesis testing. The null hypothesis tests whether marginal deviations from the judgmental decision generate negative changes in expected utility. The resulting estimator is always at the boundary of the confidence interval: beyond that point the probability of decreasing the expected utility becomes greater than the chosen confidence level. The decision maker chooses the confidence level as a mapping from the p-value of the judgmental decision into the unit interval. I show how the choice of priors in Bayesian estimators is equivalent to the choice of this confidence level mapping. I illustrate the implications of this new framework with a portfolio choice between cash and the EuroStoxx50 index.
Financial Literacy Imperative for Success of Women Entrepreneurship

Women﻿entrepreneurship﻿can﻿be﻿the﻿driving﻿force﻿to﻿steer﻿nations﻿globally﻿towards﻿the﻿achievement﻿ of﻿economic﻿and﻿social﻿development﻿goals﻿through﻿job﻿creation﻿and﻿poverty﻿alleviation. ﻿However,﻿ financial﻿literacy﻿is﻿an﻿essential﻿and﻿intangible﻿resource﻿that﻿is﻿critical﻿for﻿growth,﻿success,﻿and﻿sustained﻿ competitive﻿advantage. ﻿Yet,﻿lack﻿of﻿financial﻿literacy﻿is﻿one﻿of﻿the﻿key﻿challenges﻿affecting﻿the﻿business﻿ growth﻿of﻿women﻿entrepreneurs. ﻿Hence,﻿adopting﻿a﻿qualitative﻿approach﻿and﻿data﻿collected﻿through﻿ the﻿interview﻿method﻿from﻿twenty-three﻿women﻿entrepreneurs﻿selected﻿through﻿purposive﻿sampling﻿ based﻿on﻿the﻿criteria﻿of﻿an﻿established﻿business﻿for﻿five﻿years﻿with﻿at﻿least﻿three﻿employees,﻿the﻿study﻿ aimed﻿at﻿investigating﻿the﻿financial﻿literacy﻿imperative﻿for﻿the﻿success﻿of﻿women﻿entrepreneurship. ﻿ Findings﻿indicate﻿that﻿financial﻿literacy﻿greatly﻿influences﻿the﻿success﻿of﻿women﻿entrepreneurship﻿ and﻿hence﻿recommends﻿group-based﻿and﻿focused﻿training﻿for﻿women﻿entrepreneurs﻿through﻿suitable﻿ programs﻿to﻿equip﻿and﻿enhance﻿financial﻿literacy﻿among﻿women﻿entrepreneurs. KEyWoRDS Abilities, Competences, Creators, Entrepreneurs, Finance, Government, Wealth
Impacts of TIPEX‐III Rawinsondes on the Dynamics and Thermodynamics Over the Eastern Tibetan Plateau in the Boreal Summer

Observations and simulations have shown that the Tibetan Plateau (TP) plays an important role in the climate and weather of East Asia. Uncertainties in reanalysis data sets have been documented by comparing them with independent rawinsonde data, but the impacts of incorporating this data into a reanalysis data set on the dynamical and thermodynamical features over the TP have not been assessed. Observations from the recent Third Tibetan Plateau Atmospheric Scientific Experiment (TIPEX‐III) can be used to evaluate the Eastern TP ERA‐Interim reanalysis data set (ERA). In this study, the Barnes objective analysis scheme is used to incorporate the rawinsonde data into the ERA to acquire the gridded data (OBJ) for examining heat and moisture budgets. It is shown that the OBJ budget‐estimated rainfall intensity is better correlated with the observations than the ERA budget‐estimated rainfall intensity. The ERA overestimates weak rainfall but underestimates heavy rainfall. The incorporation of special rawinsonde into the OBJ impacts the dynamical and thermodynamical characteristics both spatially and temporally. The downward motion and cooling are enhanced over the rainless regions/periods, while the upward motion and heating are enhanced over the rainy regions/periods. The rawinsonde effect is stronger with the increasing rainfall intensity. The differences of spatial distributions and temporal variations in heating between the OBJ and ERA are primarily determined by the vertical advection terms in heat and moisture budgets. The OBJ‐derived large‐scale forcing is essential for cloud‐resolving model simulations of TP cloud systems. The above conclusions can also be applied to the ERA5.
Trial Refresh: A Case for an Adaptive Platform Trial for Pulmonary Exacerbations of Cystic Fibrosis

Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disease typically characterized by progressive lung damage and premature mortality. Pulmonary exacerbations, or flare-ups of the lung disease, often require hospitalization for intensive treatment. Approximately 25% of patients with cystic fibrosis do not recover their baseline lung function after pulmonary exacerbations. There is a relative paucity of evidence to inform treatment strategies for exacerbations. Compounding this lack of evidence, there are a large number of treatment options already as well as becoming available. This results in significant variability between medication regimens prescribed by different physicians, treatment centers and regions with potentially adverse impact to patients. The conventional strategy is to undertake essential randomized clinical trials to inform treatment decisions and improve outcomes for patients with exacerbations. However, over the past several decades, clinical trials have generally failed to provide information critical to improved treatment and management of exacerbations. Bayesian adaptive platform trials hold the promise of addressing clinical uncertainties and informing treatment. Using modeling and response adaptive randomization, they allow for the evaluation of multiple treatments across different management domains, and progressive improvement in patient outcomes throughout the course of the trial. Bayesian adaptive platform trials require substantial amounts of preparation. Basic preparation includes extensive stakeholder involvement including elicitation of consumer preferences and clinician understanding of the research topic, defining the research questions, determining the best outcome measures, delineating study sub-groups, in depth statistical modeling, designing end-to-end digital solutions seamlessly supporting clinicians, researchers and patients, constructing randomisation algorithms and importantly, defining pre-determined intra-study end-points. This review will discuss the motivation and necessary steps required to embark on a Bayesian adaptive platform trial to optimize medication regimens for the treatment of pulmonary exacerbations of cystic fibrosis.
Fine-scale haplotype mapping of MUT, AACS, SLC6A15 and PRKCA genes indicates association with insulin resistance of metabolic syndrome and relationship with branched chain amino acid metabolism or regulation

Branched chain amino acids (BCAA) are essential elements of the human diet, which display increased plasma levels in obesity and regained particular interest as potential biomarkers for development of diabetes. To define determinants of insulin resistance (IR) we investigated 73 genes involved in BCAA metabolism or regulation by fine-scale haplotype mapping in two European populations with metabolic syndrome. French and Romanians (n = 465) were genotyped for SNPs (Affymetrix) and enriched by imputation (BEAGLE 4.1) at 1000 genome project density. Initial association hits detected by sliding window were refined (HAPLOVIEW 3.1 and PHASE 2.1) and correlated to homeostasis model assessment (HOMAIR) index, in vivo insulin sensitivity (SI) and BCAA plasma levels (ANOVA). Four genomic regions were associated with IR located downstream of MUT, AACS, SLC6A15 and PRKCA genes (P between 9.3 and 3.7 x 10−5). Inferred haplotypes up to 13 SNPs length were associated with IR (e.g. MUT gene with P < 4.9 x 10−5; Bonferroni 1.3 x 10−3) and synergistic to HOMAIR. SNPs in the same regions were also associated with one order of magnitude lower P values (e.g. rs20167284 in the MUT gene with P < 1.27 x 10−4) and replicated in Mediterranean samples (n = 832). In French, influential haplotypes (OR > 2.0) were correlated with in vivo insulin sensitivity (1/SI) except for SLC6A15 gene. Association of these genes with BCAA levels was variable, but influential haplotypes confirmed implication of MUT from BCAA metabolism as well as a role of regulatory genes (AACS and PRKCA) and suggested potential changes in transcriptional activity. These data drive attention towards new regulatory regions involved in IR in relation with BCAA and show the ability of haplotypes in phased DNA to detect signals complimentary to SNPs, which may be useful in designing genetic markers for clinical applications in ethnic populations.
Virtual water flows, water footprint and water savings from the trade of crop and livestock products of Germany

Comprehensive assessment of the virtual water trade of Germany with the world is performed and the national water footprint through the trade of crop and livestock products from 1991 to 2016 is assessed. Virtual water flows based on 328 products with more than 200 countries indicate Germany as a net virtual water importer. Average virtual water import was 100.5 Bm3/y, virtual water export was 60.2 Bm3/y and net virtual water import was 40.3 Bm3/y. Trade patterns of virtual water transfer differ for the various commodity types. Trade between Germany and the world implies a global water loss of 5.9 Bm3/y. This study portrays that trade between countries is not only related to the economics but interlinked with the agricultural water use and management practices of the respective nations. Sustainable management of the resources will require a collective consideration of the agricultural, water and economic sectors while developing strategies.
HDAC1 negatively regulates selective mitotic chromatin binding of the Notch effector RBPJ in a KDM5A-dependent manner

Abstract Faithful propagation of transcription programs through cell division underlies cell-identity maintenance. Transcriptional regulators selectively bound on mitotic chromatin are emerging critical elements for mitotic transcriptional memory; however, mechanisms governing their site-selective binding remain elusive. By studying how protein-protein interactions impact mitotic chromatin binding of RBPJ, the major downstream effector of the Notch signaling pathway, we found that histone modifying enzymes HDAC1 and KDM5A play critical, regulatory roles in this process. We found that HDAC1 knockdown or inactivation leads to increased RBPJ occupancy on mitotic chromatin in a site-specific manner, with a concomitant increase of KDM5A occupancy at these sites. Strikingly, the presence of KDM5A is essential for increased RBPJ occupancy. Our results uncover a regulatory mechanism in which HDAC1 negatively regulates RBPJ binding on mitotic chromatin in a KDM5A-dependent manner. We propose that relative chromatin affinity of a minimal regulatory complex, reflecting a specific transcription program, renders selective RBPJ binding on mitotic chromatin.
So Much More Than SQ3R: A Life History of Francis P. Robinson

Abstract This manuscript is an examination of a life well lived with the professional contributions of a leader who served across the fields of educational psychology, counseling, and literacy. Francis P. Robinson was a pioneer in the development of postsecondary literacy theory, research, and pedagogy. Although he is most widely known for what is perhaps the best-known textbook study strategy in the world, SQ3R, his contributions to the field of reading and learning strategy research and praxis have gone well beyond the influence of SQ3R.
Could sublingual vaccination be a viable option for the prevention of recurrent urinary tract infection in Canada? A systematic review of the current literature and plans for the future.

INTRODUCTION We conducted a systematic review to examine the role of a novel sublingual vaccine - Uromune - for prevention of recurrent urinary tract infection (rUTI) to understand its potential role for Canadian women suffering from rUTI. METHODS Databases were searched for studies published from 2010-2020 that investigated use of Uromune in the management of rUTI. Only original clinical studies that included use of Uromune as prophylaxis for uncomplicated rUTI in women that included UTI-free rate following initiation of vaccine as an outcome were included. RESULTS Of 73 publications related to Uromune and UTIs, 19 unique clinical studies were identified evaluating Uromune for prevention of rUTI. Five studies met our inclusion criteria for primary review. These included 1408 women treated with Uromune. In two retrospective comparative studies, subjects treated with Uromune daily for three months (519 women in total) had significantly higher UTI-free rates (35-90%) than subjects treated with six months of antibiotic prophylaxis (0% in 499 women in total) over 15 months (p<0.001 for both studies). In three prospective, uncontrolled studies, UTI-free rates for subjects treated with Uromune ranged from 33-78% over 9-24 months. No major safety issues were identified in these trials. Additional unique studies evaluating Uromune for rUTI that did not meet our criteria added consistent confirmation of the potential effectiveness and safety of Uromune to prevent rUTI. CONCLUSIONS Although these findings require confirmation in currently active, prospective clinical studies, including a randomized placebo-controlled trial, Uromune may be an alternative to antibiotics to prevent rUTI in Canadian women.
Measurement Equivalence of “Touch-Screen” versus “Paper-Based” Assessments of OHRQoL: A Randomized Crossover Trial

Purpose To determine the measurement equivalence of computer touch screen assessment (CTSA) and paper based assessment (PBA) of the oral health impact profile (OHIP-14). Patients and Methods A randomized crossover trial was conducted. Sixty participants were randomized to either i) Arm A: completed CTSA then PBA of OHIP-14, or ii) Arm B: PBA and then CTSA of OHIP-14 within the same day. User preference and time taken to complete the assessments were recorded. Agreement between CTSA and PBA was determined using directional difference (DD), absolute difference (AD), and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Results There was no significant difference in CTSA and PBA OHIP-14 scores (P>0.05). The magnitude of the DD in scores between assessment methods was small for overall scores and all domains (<0.3). The AD in OHIP-14 scores was small (~6% for overall score, between 8–16% for domains). Agreement between CTSA and PBA was high (ICC=0.9; 95% CI=0.8–0.9) for overall OHIP-14 scores, but ICC values varied across domains. Most (78%) preferred CTSA. There was no significant difference in time taken to complete assessments (P=0.09). Regression analyses did not identify any significant socio-demographic factor associated with absolute difference between CTSA and PBA scores. Conclusion There is equivalence of measurements in OHRQoL assessments from CTSA and PBA, and the time taken to complete assessment by either means is similar. There is a greater preference for CTSA. This has implications to support the use of CTSA in OHRQoL assessments.