Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Takeaways from Mobile DNA Barcoding with BentoLab and MinION

Since the release of the MinION sequencer in 2014, it has been applied to great effect in the remotest and harshest of environments, and even in space. One of the most common applications of MinION is for nanopore-based DNA barcoding in situ for species identification and discovery, yet the existing sample capability is limited (n ≤ 10). Here, we assembled a portable sequencing setup comprising the BentoLab and MinION and developed a workflow capable of processing 32 samples simultaneously. We demonstrated this enhanced capability out at sea, where we collected samples and barcoded them onboard a dive vessel moored off Sisters’ Islands Marine Park, Singapore. In under 9 h, we generated 105 MinION barcodes, of which 19 belonged to fresh metazoans processed immediately after collection. Our setup is thus viable and would greatly fortify existing portable DNA barcoding capabilities. We also tested the performance of the newly released R10.3 nanopore flow cell for DNA barcoding, and showed that the barcodes generated were ~99.9% accurate when compared to Illumina references. A total of 80% of the R10.3 nanopore barcodes also had zero base ambiguities, compared to 50–60% for R9.4. 1, suggesting an improved homopolymer resolution and making the use of R10.3 highly recommended.
Effects of Moderate-to-Heavy Sled Training Using Different Magnitudes of Velocity Loss in Professional Soccer Players

Abstract Grazioli, R, Loturco, I, Lopez, P, Setuain, I, Goulart, J, Veeck, F, Inácio, M, Izquierdo, M, Pinto, RS, and Cadore, EL. Effects of moderate-to-heavy sled training using different magnitudes of velocity loss in professional soccer players. J Strength Cond Res 37(3): 629–635, 2023—This study investigated the effects of a 11-week moderate-to-heavy sled training intervention with different magnitudes of velocity loss on sprint and jump performance, mechanical muscle function, and body composition in professional soccer players. Seventeen players (age 25.8 ± 4.3 years; height 180.0 ± 8.6 cm; mass 77.7 ± 9.7 kg) were randomly allocated into 2 groups, based on different magnitudes of velocity loss: 10% of velocity decrease (G10, n = 8) and 20% of velocity decrease (G20, n = 9). The velocity-based sled training consisted of 20-m resisted sprints with a progressive loading increase from 45 to 65% of body-mass throughout the intervention. Pre-intervention and postintervention sprint and jump performance, hamstring and quadriceps peak torque and isometric rate of torque development, and lower-limb lean mass measured by dual X-ray absorptiometry were assessed and compared. Two-way repeated measures analysis of variance revealed a significant time-effect for decreases in 10- and 20-m sprint times (p = 0.018 and p = 0.033, respectively), but without a time-group interaction. The G10 showed greater beneficial effects than G20 for both 10-m (−5.5 ± 3.3%, magnitude-based inference [MBI]: possibly vs. −1.7 ± 5.9%, MBI: possibly trivial) and 20-m (−2.5 ± 2.1%, MBI: possibly vs. −1.4 ± 3.7%, MBI: likely trivial) sprint times. Moreover, there was a significant time effect for countermovement jump height and quadriceps isometric peak torque, which decreased significantly after training (p = 0.019 and p = 0.010, respectively), with no within-group effect of time vs. group interaction for these respective outcomes. The novel velocity-based sled model proposed here, especially under lower magnitudes of velocity loss, was able to significantly improve linear sprint performance in professional soccer players.
Reply

We thank the author for the comments in the letter to the editor. In our study, subjects were limited to critically ill patients among children infected with H1N1 who met the criteria of the Korean Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC). Themajority of them suffered from a variety of medical conditions such as hematologic malignancy or metabolic disease, so that may have been a factor in the wide range of white blood cell counts. We agree with the comment that the spread was so wide that the mean and standard deviation value fail to capture the dispersion of the data. The median value of the patients’ white blood cell counts was 11,515 cells/mm (interquartile range, 7,258–17,013 cells/mm). In addition to the change of white blood cell count in patients, the raised C-reactive protein (CRP) level can mean simultaneous or potential bacterial coinfections. However, the elevated CRP values may also be found in uncomplicated viral respiratory infections, particularly those caused by the influenza virus. The increase of influenza associated Staphylococcus aureus in pediatric patients is a growing concern. Though only one patient experiencedmethicillin sensitive S. aureus pneumonia in our study, collecting data on the types of pathogens and their sensitivity to antimicrobial agents from the health authorities would be critical in future influenza surveillance programs. Children have few choices for treatment of influenza infection. Antiviral agents may be the only choice if the children are not vaccinated. For the nation’s public health, the KCDC is tracing separate research reports regarding antiviral agents, however, the KCDC places a priority on higher or international intervention guidelines such as the World Health Organization’s in spite of low quality evidence. In order to prevent delays in the administration of neuraminidase, the Korean government allowed physicians to prescribe oseltamivir before confirmation of H1N1 during the 2009 pandemic, so 17 patients received the drug therapy prior to a definitive diagnosis in our study. By January 31, 2010, the number of school-age children (7–18)withH1N1was highest and accounted for 49% (363,682 cases among 740,835 in total) of all the confirmed patients in Korea. The measure of school closures to break or delay transmissions in the pandemic is recognized as an effective tool depending on introduction timing. We admit the limitation that concrete evidence or experience to support the need of a well-organized school closure policy were not available in our study. There were no strict guidelines on the strategic use of school closure for themitigationor prevention of influenza outbreaks in Korea. To prepare for future pandemic, school closure is to be considered with other interventions such as antiviral drugs, vaccines, and other non-pharmaceutical interventions.
Interplay between the Ubiquitin Proteasome System and Ubiquitin-Mediated Autophagy in Plants

All eukaryotes rely on the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) and autophagy to control the abundance of key regulatory proteins and maintain a healthy intracellular environment. In the UPS, damaged or superfluous proteins are ubiquitinated and degraded in the proteasome, mediated by three types of ubiquitin enzymes: E1s (ubiquitin activating enzymes), E2s (ubiquitin conjugating enzymes), and E3s (ubiquitin protein ligases). Conversely, in autophagy, a vesicular autophagosome is formed that transfers damaged proteins and organelles to the vacuole, mediated by a series of ATGs (autophagy related genes). Despite the use of two completely different componential systems, the UPS and autophagy are closely interconnected and mutually regulated. During autophagy, ATG8 proteins, which are autophagosome markers, decorate the autophagosome membrane similarly to ubiquitination of damaged proteins. Ubiquitin is also involved in many selective autophagy processes and is thus a common factor of the UPS and autophagy. Additionally, the components of the UPS, such as the 26S proteasome, can be degraded via autophagy, and conversely, ATGs can be degraded by the UPS, indicating cross regulation between the two pathways. The UPS and autophagy cooperate and jointly regulate homeostasis of cellular components during plant development and stress response.
Multi-Parametric Fusion of 3D Power Doppler Ultrasound for Fetal Kidney Segmentation Using Fully Convolutional Neural Networks

Kidney development is key to the long-term health of the fetus. Renal volume and vascularity assessed by 3D ultrasound (3D-US) are known markers of wellbeing, however, a lack of real-time image segmentation solutions preclude these measures being used in a busy clinical environment. In this work, we aimed to automate kidney segmentation using fully convolutional neural networks (fCNNs). We used multi-parametric input fusion incorporating 3D B-Mode and power Doppler (PD) volumes, aiming to improve segmentation accuracy. Three different fusion strategies and their performance were assessed versus a single input (B-Mode) network. Early input-level fusion provided the best segmentation accuracy with an average Dice similarity coefficient (DSC) of 0.81 and Hausdorff distance (HD) of 8.96 mm, an improvement of 0.06 DSC and reduction of 1.43 mm HD compared to our baseline network. Compared to manual segmentation for all models, repeatability was assessed by intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC) indicating good to excellent reproducibility (ICC $>=$ 0.93). The framework was extended to support multiple graphics processing units (GPUs) to better handle volumetric data, dense fCNN models, batch normalization and complex fusion networks. This work and available source code provides a framework to increase the parameter space of encoder-decoder style fCNNs across multiple GPUs and shows that application of multi-parametric 3D-US in fCNN training improves segmentation accuracy.
Milk production from grass silage diets: effects of high-protein concentrates for lactating heifers and cows on intake, milk production and milk nitrogen fractions

To examine the effects of increasing the crude protein (CP) content of concentrates at either equal concentrate intake (increasing CP intake) or at reducing concentrate intake (equal CP intake), 44 multiparous Holstein-Friesian cows were allocated to one of five treatments for weeks 4 to 18 of lactation. The treatments were 6 kg dry matter (DM) per day of concentrates containing nominally 200, 300 or 400 g CP per kg DM or 9 or 3 kg DM per day of concentrates containing 200 or 600 g CP per kg DM respectively. In addition 23 first-calf cows (heifers) were offered 5 kg DM per day of concentrates containing 200, 300 or 400 g CP per kg DM. All the animals were offered first-cut perennial ryegrass silage ad libitum . Increasing the concentrate CP content at equal intake caused only small and non-significant increases in silage intake by both heifers and cows. It significantly increased yields of milk and milk protein for both groups but whereas the cows responded to both increments of CP, the heifers only responded to the first. The concentrations of total protein, true protein, casein and non-protein nitrogen (NPN) in milk were significantly increased but the concentration of whey protein remained unchanged. Increasing CP concentration while the concentrate ration was reduced enhanced silage intake but had no significant effect on yields of milk or milk solids. The concentrations of total protein, true protein (non-significant), casein and NPN all increased but whey protein was unchanged. Overall the concentrations of casein and NPN were linearly related to the dietary CP concentration. With both concentrate strategies the proportion of true protein in total milk protein decreased and the proportion of NPN increased with increasing dietary CP concentration but the changes, though highly significant, were relatively small. It is concluded that the strategy of reducing the concentrate ration while maintaining concentrate CP intake causes only small reductions in milk solids production but it is dependent for success on supplies of high-quality grass silage to substitute for the concentrates.
Effects of Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy on Improvements in Lymphedema, Quality of Life, and Fibrous Tissue in Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema

Objective To evaluate the effects of extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) on improving lymphedema, quality of life, and fibrous tissue in patients with stage 2 lymphedema. Methods Breast cancer-related lymphedema patients referred to the rehabilitation center were recruited. We enrolled stage 2 lymphedema patients who had firmness of the skin at their forearm, a circumference difference of more than 2 cm between each arm, or a volume difference between upper extremities greater than 200 mL, confirmed by lymphoscintigraphy. The patients were randomly divided into the ESWT group and the control group. ESWT was performed for 3 weeks (two sessions per week); both groups received complex decongestive physical therapy. All patients were evaluated at baseline and at 3 weeks after treatment. The measurements performed included visual analog scale score, volume, circumference, QuickDASH (Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand) score, bioelectrical impedance, and skin thickness. Results The patients in both groups (n=15 in each group) completed the 3-week therapy experiment. No significant differences were observed in demographic characteristics between groups. After the 3-week treatment period, improvement was noted in the circumference difference below the elbow, volume, ratio of extracellular water to total body water, and skin thickness in the ESWT group. A significant difference was found in all the above-mentioned areas except in circumference below the elbow in the ESWT group. Conclusion ESWT reduced edema and skin fibrosis without significant complications. Therefore, ESWT can be used together with complex decongestive physical therapy for treating lymphedema.
Long-distance swimming by polar bears (Ursus maritimus) of the southern Beaufort Sea during years of extensive open water

Polar bears (Ursus maritimus Phipps, 1774) depend on sea ice for catching marine mammal prey. Recent sea-ice declines have been linked to reductions in body condition, survival, and population size. Reduced foraging opportunity is hypothesized to be the primary cause of sea-ice-linked declines, but the costs of travel through a deteriorated sea-ice environment also may be a factor. We used movement data from 52 adult female polar bears wearing Global Positioning System (GPS) collars, including some with dependent young, to document long-distance swimming (>50 km) by polar bears in the southern Beaufort and Chukchi seas. During 6 years (2004–2009), we identified 50 long-distance swims by 20 bears. Swim duration and distance ranged from 0.7 to 9.7 days (mean = 3.4 days) and 53.7 to 687.1 km (mean = 154.2 km), respectively. Frequency of swimming appeared to increase over the course of the study. We show that adult female polar bears and their cubs are capable of swimming long distances during periods when extensive areas of open water are present. However, long-distance swimming appears to have higher energetic demands than moving over sea ice. Our observations suggest long-distance swimming is a behavioral response to declining summer sea-ice conditions.
Improved Stability and Controllability in ZrN-Based Resistive Memory Device by Inserting TiO2 Layer

In this work, the enhanced resistive switching of ZrN-based resistive switching memory is demonstrated by embedding TiO2 layer between Ag top electrode and ZrN switching layer. The Ag/ZrN/n-Si device exhibits unstable resistive switching as a result of the uncontrollable Ag migration. Both unipolar and bipolar resistive switching with high RESET current were observed. Negative-SET behavior in the Ag/ZrN/n-Si device makes set-stuck, causing permanent resistive switching failure. On the other hand, the analogue switching in the Ag/TiO2/ZrN/n-Si device, which could be adopted for the multi-bit data storage applications, is obtained. The gradual switching in Ag/TiO2/ZrN/n-Si device is achieved, possibly due to the suppressed Ag diffusion caused by TiO2 inserting layer. The current–voltage (I–V) switching characteristics of Ag/ZrN/n-Si and Ag/TiO2/ZrN/n-Si devices can be well verified by pulse transient. Finally, we established that the Ag/TiO2/ZrN/n-Si device is suitable for neuromorphic application through a comparison study of conductance update. This paper paves the way for neuromorphic application in nitride-based memristor devices.
Expanding our understanding and use of the ecological systems theory model for the prevention of maternal obesity: A new socioecological framework

The reproductive life phase, most notably the preconception, pregnancy and postpartum periods, is a key driver of weight gain in women and therefore substantially increases the risk of noncommunicable diseases for mothers and their offspring. The ecological systems theory (EST) model for maternal obesity prevention positions the woman and her behaviour as interacting with surrounding layers of influences, including proximal interpersonal relationships embedded within social, environmental, and policy contexts. However, current thinking and use of the EST model for maternal obesity prevention are limited by a focus on women as being responsible for lifestyle change, with the associated blame and weight stigma, and by a lack of understanding of the interactions between EST layers. This paper presents a new socioecological framework for maternal obesity prevention, which aims to address these issues and offer potential strategies to assist researchers to generate new knowledge and understanding of the myriad ways we can approach maternal obesity prevention.
Red visual stimulation in the Ganzfeld leads to a relative overestimation of duration compared to green.

A Ganzfeld is a homogenized visual and auditory perceptual field which can induce altered states of consciousness (ASC; Metzger, 1929; Schmidt & Prein, 2019). Using a balanced intrasubject design, we compared participants' experience during two differently colored (red, green) 25-min Ganzfeld sessions with brown noise as acoustic stimulation. Participants were exposed to the colored visual field through commercially available goggles and to brown noise over headphones. We selected 67 participants with some prior meditation experience to increase the probability that they would engage meaningfully with this specifically restricted stimulus situation. We tested the functional components of the standard cognitive model of time perception (Zakay & Block, 1997) in a path analysis for direct (red vs. green light) and indirect effects (arousal, attention) on subjective duration and perceived passage of time. Subjective arousal and valence states were measured using the Self-Assessment Manikin (SAM). The amount of attention directed to time and the perceived passage of time were rated with standard visual analog scales (VAS). Participants also estimated the duration of each Ganzfeld exposure. The session with the red visual field lasted significantly longer than did the green session (μred = 23.1 min; μgreen = 19.8 min). After the green session, participants rated their arousal level to have significantly decreased; after the red session, individuals on average felt emotionally less positive. Multiple path analyses revealed that the effect of color on estimated duration is completely mediated through higher arousal levels during the red Ganzfeld session. In turn, the higher arousal level generates a longer subjective estimate of duration. For induction of relaxation in studies probing altered states of consciousness employing the Ganzfeld technique, we recommend using the green light.
Nutritional Evaluation of three Marine Macroalgae on the Coast of Kanyakumari District

The nutritional evaluation of carbohydrate, protein and lipid in three selected seaweed (marine macroalgae) species such as Ulva lactuca, Sargassam wightii and Gracilaria edulis from Muttom and Kanyakumari coasts of Kanyakumari district was determined. The samples were collected in two seasons, pre monsoon (Aug. 2015) and post monsoon season (Dec. 2015). The carbohydrate content of three seaweeds varied from 49.2 ± 3.2% d w to 33.6 ± 1.6% dw. The protein content of the selected seaweeds ranged from 21.9 ± 1.4% to 11.2 ± 0.3 % dw. The level of lipid of the three seaweeds varied from 2.6 ± 0.4% dw to 0.8 ± 01% dw. Among the three seaweeds, U. lactuca contained higher amount of carbohydrate (49.2 ± 3.2% dw) and protein (21.9 ± 1.4% dw) however G. edulis possessed maximum lipid (2.6 ± 0.4% dw). The study of seasonal variation showed that the best season for harvesting seaweeds for food is pre monsoon season. The carbohydrate and lipid content are found maximum in the samples from Muttom coast and protein content is found maximum in the samples from Kanyakumari coast.
Smartphone Apps to Support Falls Rehabilitation Exercise: App Development and Usability and Acceptability Study

Background Falls have implications for older adults’ health and well-being. Strength and balance interventions significantly reduce the risk of falls. However, patients do not always perform the unsupervised home exercise needed for fall reduction. Objective This study aims to develop motivational smartphone apps co-designed with health professionals and older adults to support patients to perform exercise proven to aid fall reduction and to explore the apps’ usability and acceptability with both health professionals and patients. Methods There were 3 phases of app development that included analysis, design, and implementation. For analysis, we examined the literature to establish key app components and had a consultation with 12 older adults attending a strength and balance class, exercise instructors, and 3 fall services. For design, we created prototype apps and conducted 2 patient and public involvement workshops, one with 5 health professionals and the second with 8 older adults from an exercise group. The apps were revised based on the feedback. For implementation, we tested them with one fall service and their patients for 3 weeks. Participatory evaluation was used through testing, semistructured interviews, and focus groups to explore acceptability and usability. Focus groups were conducted with the service that tested the apps and two other services. Qualitative data were analyzed using the framework approach. Results On the basis of findings from the literature and consultations in the analysis phase, we selected Behavior Change Techniques, such as goal setting, action planning, and feedback on behavior, to be key parts of the app. We developed goals using familiar icons for patients to select and add while self-reporting exercise and decided to develop 2 apps, one for patients (My Activity Programme) and one for health professionals (Motivate Me). This enabled health professionals to guide patients through the goal-setting process, making it more accessible to nontechnology users. Storyboards were created during the design phase, leading to prototypes of “Motivate Me” and “My Activity Programme. ” Key changes from the workshops included being able to add more details about the patients’ exercise program and a wider selection of goals within “Motivate Me. ” The overall app design was acceptable to health professionals and older adults. In total, 7 patients and 3 health professionals participated in testing in the implementation phase, with interviews conducted with 6 patients and focus groups, with 3 teams (11 health professionals). Barriers, facilitators, and further functionality were identified for both apps, with 2 cross-cutting themes around phone usability and confidence. Conclusions The motivational apps were found to be acceptable for older adults taking part in the design stage and patients and health professionals testing the apps in a clinical setting. User-led design is important to ensure that the apps are usable and acceptable.