Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Computer Simulation and Mathematical Modeling of the Interactions Between Ecological and Sexual Selection to Reveal the Mechanism of Sympatric Speciation

In modern evolutionary theory, the mechanism of sympatric speciation is still an unsolved mystery. Ecological niche specialization and the subsequent premating reproductive isolation (RI) are the putative initial steps of sympatric speciation, even though the exact mechanism of how the former leads to the latter remains unclear. This study aims to develop a simple, intuitive, and realistic model ecosystem that uses the fewest variables possible but is still comprehensive enough to uncover the fundamental mechanisms of sympatric speciation. Applying the concept of an adaptive fitness landscape, the study used an individual-based computer simulation to investigate how ecological selection and sexual selection may interact to produce sympatric premating RI. Mathematical models were derived to describe the nonlinear adaptive dynamics of the system. A user-friendly computer application was able to solve, numerically, all the trajectories, fixed points, and bifurcation points of the models and display the solutions as phase portraits. The findings reveal that under favorable conditions, fixed points may emerge in the system’s phase portraits to create stable mating-bias-allele polymorphisms and varying degrees of premating RI between niche ecotypes. Solving the nonlinear equations of the mathematical models establishes the precise parametric values required to produce such fixed points. It also specifies the conditions necessary for high-mating-bias mutant alleles to invade and produce, or enhance, premating RI. Restricting migration between niches impedes mutant invasion in parapatric and allopatric populations. Multi-locus mating traits may produce hybrids that prevent speciation. Simulation results of a gonochoric, multi-niche system demonstrate that linkage disequilibrium can emerge spontaneously among ecological, male-trait, and female-preference genotypes to produce premating RI. From these results, a five-stage mechanism of sympatric speciation is formulated: Initially, disruptive ecological selection creates selection pressure for high-mating-bias alleles to invade and rapidly establish premating RI. This then paves the way for the recruitment of late-stage mechanisms, such as adaptive coupling and post-zygotic isolation, to complete the speciation process. Applying nonlinear dynamics theories to model and analyze sympatric speciation has yielded novel findings that support and extend the results of prior studies. These new discoveries may help to overcome the theoretical objections to sympatric speciation and establish it as a prevalent mode of speciation in nature.
Physiological and transcriptomic response to methyl-coenzyme M reductase limitation in Methanosarcina acetivorans

Methyl-coenzyme M reductase (MCR) catalyzes the final step of methanogenesis, the microbial metabolism responsible for nearly all biological methane emissions to the atmosphere. Decades of biochemical and structural studies have generated detailed insights into MCR function in vitro, yet very little is known about the interplay between MCR and methanogen physiology. For instance, while it is routinely stated that MCR catalyzes the rate-limiting step of methanogenesis, this statement has not been categorically tested. Here, to gain a more direct understanding of MCR’s control on the growth of Methanosarcina acetivorans, we generate a strain with an inducible mcr operon on the chromosome, allowing for careful control of MCR expression. We show that MCR is not growth rate limiting in substrate-replete batch cultures. However, through careful titration of MCR expression, growth-limiting state(s) can be obtained. Transcriptomic analysis of M. acetivorans experiencing MCR-limitation reveals a global response with hundreds of differentially expressed genes across diverse functional categories. Notably, MCR limitation leads to a strong induction of methylsulfide methyltransferases, likely due to insufficient recycling of metabolic intermediates. In addition, the mcr operon does not seem to be transcriptionally regulated, i.e., it is constitutively expressed, suggesting that the overabundance of MCR might be beneficial when cells experience nutrient limitation or stressful conditions. Altogether, we show that there is wide range of cellular MCR concentrations that can sustain optimal growth, suggesting that other factors like anabolic reactions might be rate-limiting for methanogenic growth. Importance Methane is a potent greenhouse gas that has contributed to ca. 25% of global warming in the post-industrial era. Atmospheric methane is primarily of biogenic origin, mostly produced by microorganisms called methanogens. In methanogens, methyl-coenzyme M reductase (MCR) catalyzes methane formation. Even though MCR comprises ca. 10% of the cellular proteome, it is hypothesized to be growth-limiting during methanogenesis. Here, we show that Methanosarcina acetivorans grown under standard laboratory conditions produces more MCR than its cellular demand for optimal growth. The tools outlined in this study can be used to refine metabolic models of methanogenesis and assay lesions in MCR in a higher throughput manner than isolation and biochemical characterization of pure protein.
AUTAN-ECG: An AUToencoder bAsed system for anomaly detectioN in ECG signals

Electrocardiographic (ECG) signals that monitor heart activity can help identifying disease-related anomalies. Reliable automatic anomaly detection has been shown to be useful in supporting physicians in reading ECG signals. Decision support systems may be useful in such cases but their reliability can be guaranteed. ˆA Autoencoders (AEs) have been extensively used to analyse signals in many ﬁelds. Convolutional Autoencoders (CAE) are a particular class of AE showing optimal performances in detecting signal anomalies. Thus, CAEs can be used to support and automatise the task of anomaly detection. We design and use a CAE-based system to detect anomalies in ECG signals to support cardiologists in identifying anomalies related to possible diseases. Our tool outperforms other state-of-the-art ECG anomaly detection approaches tested on a real dataset. In the task of anomaly detection, our CAE obtains a ROC AUC of 97.82% with a simulated test set and a ROC AUC of 99.75% using on a real test set. The
Can mutual assistance lead to shared prosperity? The dilemma of rural autonomy under the coordination of interests and competition

K Village's mutual assistance farm is a new poverty alleviation model based on neighborly assistance. However, it has encountered problems such as uneven distribution of benefits, waning enthusiasm among the masses, and corruption among village cadres. The recently emerged mutual assistance farm model is unsustainable. This article utilizes stakeholder theory and self-governance theory to conduct a multi-level analysis of the mutual assistance farm model's self-governance. From the perspectives of institutional supply, trust-building, and mutual supervision, targeted and feasible suggestions and opinions are proposed to further improve and promote the mutual assistance farm model, providing valuable insights and references for poverty alleviation and prosperity practices in other regions.
Explanatory variables of psychological well-being: a study with postgraduates in Accounting

Previous studies have indicated the high frequency of stressors and stress in graduate studies, however, there is a need to better understand the role of coping strategies in this environment and the impact of all these variables on the well-being of students. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between stressors and self-efficacy, mediated by stress and coping, in the psychological well-being of graduate students in Accounting. To achieve the aim, an online survey was carried out, with a questionnaire consisting of the Stressors (worries and difficulties), General Self-Efficacy, Perceived Stress, Brief Cope and General Health Questionnaire (to measure well-being) scales, in addition to questions about the respondents’ profile. The sample consisted of 366 participants. It was observed that the most stressors show the fear of not achieving good results and the difficulty in reconciling the demands of graduate studies with other aspects of life. On average, students had high self-efficacy and most had a high stress level. The most used coping strategies were active coping, self-blame and positive reinterpretation. With the use of mediation analysis, it was concluded that stressors, as well as self-efficacy, are mediated by stress and by the positive reinterpretation strategy, thus explaining the psychological well-being of graduate students. In this way, the identification of the investigated variables encourages debate and provides support for the planning and execution of institutional actions that aim to alleviate stressors, as well as help students to develop greater adaptive capacity in the face of postgraduate challenges.
Decoding neuronal diversity by single-cell Convert-seq

The conversion of cell fates is controlled by hierarchical gene regulatory networks (GRNs) that induce remarkable alterations in cellular and transcriptome states. The identification of key regulators within these networks from myriad of candidate genes, however, poses a major research challenge. Here we present Convert-seq, combining single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) and pooled ectopic gene expression with a new strategy to discriminate sequencing reads derived from exogenous and endogenous transcripts. We demonstrate Convert-seq by associating hundreds of single cells during reprogramming of human fibroblasts to induced neurons (iN) with exogenous and endogenous transcriptional signatures. Convert-seq identified GRNs modulating the emergence of developmental trajectories and predicted combinatorial activation of exogenous transcription factors controlling iN subtype specification. Functional validation of iN subtypes generated by novel combinations of exogenous transcription factors establish Convert-seq as a broadly applicable workflow to rapidly identify key transcription factors and GRNs orchestrating the reprogramming of virtually any cell type.
The efficiency and safety of trastuzumab and lapatinib added to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in Her2-positive breast cancer patients: a randomized meta-analysis

Background The addition of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (Her2) therapies to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) during treatment of Her2-positive breast cancer has been proposed as an effective way to improve the prognosis. However, the treatment outcomes of adding trastuzumab, lapatinib, or both to NAC were not unequivocal in randomized clinical trials. Based on these data, a meta-analysis was performed. Objective The main objective was to evaluate the efficiency and safety of trastuzumab and lapatinib added to NAC for treatment of Her2-positive breast cancer. Methods ClinicalTrials.gov and PubMed were searched for randomized clinical trials that compared trastuzumab, lapatinib, or both, added to NAC. The main endpoint was a pathologically complete response (pCR) rate, in breast only or in breast and lymph nodes. The drug safety and the influence of hormone-receptor status, comparing the clinical response and the rate of breast conservation, were evaluated. Results A total of eight publications were included in the primary analysis, designed as two or three subgroups. The cumulative cases were 2,349 and the analyses of all the clinical trials showed that the pCR rate was significantly higher in the group receiving trastuzumab than that in the group with lapatinib, either in breast only (P=0.001) or in breast and lymph nodes (P=0.0001). Similar results could be seen in comparisons of the combination versus trastuzumab group. Further studies of subgroups divided into hormone receptor-positive or-negative patients showed that the addition of trastuzumab or dual Her2-targeted therapy significantly improved the pCR rate in patients who were hormone-insensitive. Regarding the toxic effects, we found more grade 3 and 4 toxic effects, such as diarrhea, skin disorder, and hepatic biochemical changes in the lapatinib and combination groups. No temporally significant differences were found when the clinical response and the rate of breast conservation in the groups were analyzed. Conclusion The combination of trastuzumab and lapatinib was superior to single-agent treatment for improved pCR rate. However, combination treatment was not effective in improving the rate of breast conservation. Furthermore, a higher risk for toxicity was associated with combined administration.
Chaetoceros resting spores record low diatom-bound nitrogen isotope values: Evidence from laboratory culture and marine sediment

The nitrogen isotopic composition of diatom frustule-bound organic matter (δ 15 N DB ) is often used to study changes 10 in high latitude biological pump efficiency across glacial-interglacial cycles, but the proxy may be biased by species-specific effects. The genus Chaetoceros is of particular interest because of its abundance throughout ocean basins, its shifting biogeography during glacial periods, and many species’ ability to form heavily silicified resting spores. Here we investigate how Chaetoceros resting spores (CRS) record surface nitrate conditions in their nitrogen isotopic composition using both laboratory culture experiments and assemblage-specific sedimentary δ 15 N DB measurements. We find that CRS record δ 15 N DB 15 values 7.0 ± 2.6‰ lower than vegetative Chaetoceros in culture and 5.6 ± 1.9‰ lower than non-CRS diatoms in sediment. Low values are attributed to assimilation of isotopically light ammonium, heavy silicification, and internal fractionation during sporulation. Despite the large δ 15 N DB difference observed in CRS versus non-CRS diatoms, increased CRS relative abundance in open ocean glacial sediments does not significantly bias δ 15 N DB records due to the spores’ small size.
Bulletin of Monetary Economics and Banking Bulletin of Monetary Economics and Banking

This paper examines the effects of trend inflation on managing of monetary policy during moderate and low inflation environments in Thailand. It extends the New Keynesian model by introducing a positive trend inflation. It finds that the response of inflation and output are lower during the moderate inflation period. A high level of trend inflation enlarges the welfare loss. When the target level for inflation is higher, lower weight on output fluctuation is the optimal policy. To adjust the inflation targeting rate, the central bank should consider the response of inflation and output gap to preserve the determinacy
Behavioural and emotional issues among primary school pupils with congenital colour vision deficiency in the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: A case-control study [version 1; peer review: 2 approved, 1 approved with reservations

Background : Congenital colour vision deficiency (CCVD) is an untreatable disorder which has lifelong consequences. Increasing use of colours in schools has raised concern for pupils with CCVD. This case-control study was conducted to compare behavioural and emotional issues among age, gender and class-matched pupils with CCVD and normal colour vision (NCV). Methods : A total of 1732 pupils from 10 primary schools in the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur were screened, of which 46 pupils (45 males and 1 female) had CCVD. Mothers of male pupils with CCVD (n=44) and NCV (n=44) who gave consent were recruited to complete a self-administered parent report form, Child Behaviour Checklist for Ages 4-18 (CBCL/ 4-18) used to access behavioural and emotional problems. The CBCL/ 4-18 has three broad groupings: Internalising, Externalising and Total Behaviour Problems. Internalising Problems combines the Withdrawn
Nano Biomed Eng

In recent years, a huge extent of data that contains hidden information is collected by the health care industries. Deep Neural Networks (DNN) have been employed to obtain appropriate decisions and effective results. The obtained results have been validated using confusion matrix and region of interest. In this work, we have used fourteen parameters for the prediction of cardiovascular disease (CVD) of 303 volunteers. The proposed predictive technique predicts that the chance for prediction of the risk level of cardiovascular disease. In this work, the prediction method using deep neural networks showed the highest accuracy. Our proposed method has outperformed the existing methods and can be combined with multimedia technology.
USING CANOPY TEMPERATURE AS AN INDICATOR OF PLANT STRESS

In particular, measuring crop canopy temperature, using infra-red sensors, has been found to be useful in determining the degree of crop water stress. Canopy temperature can be used in the so called crop water stress index method (CWSI). This study shows how to apply the CWSI method and also shows comparisons between CWSI values and soil volumetric water content (moisture). In addition, a comparison of CWSI with a newly defined soil water stress index (SWSI) is shown. In this latter comparison, there is evidence that the canopy temperature indeed can be used to quantify the degree of crop water stress.
Geomorphological Evolution of Quaternary River from Upper Yellow River and Geomorphological Evolution Investigation for 1∶250 000 Scale Geological Mapping in Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

The Cenozoic geomorphological evolution investigation method is used for 1∶250 000 scale geological mapping in Qinghai-Tibet plateau, which clarifies the geomorphological features and geomorphological distributing and their ages and also helps the analysis of geomorphology origin and the relationship of geomorphology, tectonism, climate and sediments. Meanwhile, the investigation of the representatives, planation surfaces and terrace which indicates the uplifting processes also enables us to analyze the geomorphology evolution and reconstruct its history in a certain region. Given the result of investigation on terrace geomorphology in Yangqu of the upper reaches of the Yellow River, the authors deduce that Nanshan, Guinan has been cut through by the Yellow River before 0.03 Ma. The comparison between different terraces in various places of the Yellow River indicates that its geomorphological (evolution) is accompanied by episodic uplifting of the Tibet plateau and related episodic toward the source. Four stages can be recognized here. Firstly, in 1.6 Ma, the Yellow River stabilized in Minhe-Lanzhou-Linxia. Secondly, in 1.1 Ma, it cut through Jishi canyon and arrived in Hualong-Guide. Thirdly, in (0.15 Ma), it appeared in the Gonghe basin after splitting Longyan canyon. Fourthly, after the latest uplifting event around, it cut through Nanshan, Guinan and western Qinling, and reached the source of the Yellow River passing Ruoergai basin.
New and emerging non-invasive glucose monitoring technologies

Diabetes is a life-long condition where the levels of glucose in the body are too high because the body is unable to convert it to energy due to insufficient insulin or the insulin not working properly. There are two main types of diabetes, type 1 and type 2. Effective diabetes management reduces the risk of long-term complications associated with the disease, which include heart disease, blindness, stroke, kidney disease and amputations leading to disability and premature mortality. For most people with diabetes, managing the condition has an impact on their lifestyle and quality of life.
The Morphological Dimension and Antioxidant Composition of Selected Indigenous Flavouring Plants in Bintulu, Sarawak

The use of plants as food flavourings, commonly known as herbs and spices, serves as natural sources of flavour, altering the taste and aroma of dishes with only a small amount. Beyond flavour, these plants also contribute essential antioxidants crucial for human health by inhibiting free radicals that can lead to various diseases. In Bintulu, Sarawak, Malaysia, locals traditionally consume indigenous flavouring plants primarily for their culinary impact, often overlooking the pharmaceutical value these plants may offer. This study aimed to assess the marketable appearance and antioxidant composition of indigenous food flavouring plants in Bintulu. Bunches of Pangium edule, Premna serratifolia, Pycnarrhena tumefacta, Scorodocarpus borneensis, and Syzygium polyanthum were obtained from the local farmers market and analyzed for morphological dimensions, total phenolic content, free radical scavenging ability (DPPH), and ferric reducing ability (FRAP). The edible portion of the plants ranged from 57.33% to 84.99%, with P. edule exhibiting the largest edible blade. Total phenolic content varied from 343.27 to 3245.67 mg GAE/100 g, with P. serratifolia having the highest value. Premna serratifolia demonstrated the strongest radical scavenging activity, while S. polyanthum exhibited the highest ferric reducing ability. All species exhibited high antioxidant composition (IC50 = 0.10 to 27.6 µg/mL, FRAP = 469.88 to 9272.50 mg TE/100 g), indicating potential medicinal utility. Further studies on anti-nutrients like oxalate and phytate are recommended to complement the obtained data. Additionally, an ethnobotanical study is suggested to document the traditional medicinal uses of these plants alongside their role as flavor enhancers in cooking.
An XFEM Model for Seismic Activity in Indian Plate

ABSTRACT Empirical approaches based on the available earthquake catalog are popular among engineers to estimate seismic hazard. The seismic activity on individual faults inferred from these approaches is associated with a large number of uncertainties, especially due to lack of data. This article proposes a mechanistic approach to quantify seismic and fault activity, thereby overcoming the difficulties in the existing empirical procedure. A finite element (FE) model for Indian Plate, with the geological ‘cratons’ is developed and subject to plate driving forces namely, the ridge push and the slab pull forces. The material properties and the thickness of both plate and cratons are obtained through inversion using the recently available Global Positioning System (GPS) data. The tectonic faults are modeled using the well-known ‘extended FE method (XFEM)’. The simulated strains at fault level are compared with the computed strain rates from the earthquake catalog. Further, the procedure to quantify fault activity is demonstrated for Gujarat, India.
Governança criminal na linha de frente

Este estudo investiga as interações entre a discricionariedade exercida pelos burocratas de nível de rua e os diferentes regimes de accountability identificadas nos sistemas prisionais. Localizados na linha de frente dos serviços públicos, estes burocratas estão inseridos em redes múltiplas de relacionamentos, em contextos de múltiplas responsabilidades e de governança multinível. Com base em uma pesquisa qualitativa aprofundada, este estudo exploratório concentra-se nas tensões que surgem das organizações criminosas no contexto prisional brasileiro. A partir de 10 entrevistas formais com policiais penais do estado de São Paulo, foram identificados dilemas que surgem no cotidiano de trabalho destes trabalhadores. Atravessados pela existência de uma governança criminal, o contexto profissional destes trabalhadores é imbricado por múltiplas responsabilidades às quais esses profissionais respondem. Este estudo contribui para a literatura existente ao explorar empiricamente como a governança criminal, entre outras formas de governança, interage com o espaço de discricionariedade dos trabalhadores da linha de frente no desempenho de suas funções.