Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Power Loading–Induced Fatigue Is Influenced by Menstrual Cycle Phase

ABSTRACT Purpose This study aimed to examine the effects of fatiguing power loading on neuromuscular properties, force production, and metabolic capacities during four phases of the menstrual cycle (MC): menstruation (M), midfollicular (mid FOL), ovulation (OV), and midluteal (mid LUT). Methods Sixteen eumenorrheic women performed sessions of maximal explosive leg press (2 × 10 at 60% one-repetition maximum load with 2-min recovery between sets). Serum hormones and neuromuscular responses were measured. Results The loading protocol significantly decreased power (between −14.2% and −12.5%; P < 0.001) and maximal force production (between maximum voluntary force (MVC); −15.0% and −7.8%; P < 0.001–0.05), while decreasing activation level (between AL; −6.9% and −2.2%; P < 0.001–0.05) in all MC phases. The decreases in AL were greater during mid LUT (P < 0.01) compared with OV. Changes in MVC and AL were associated (r2 = 0.53; P < 0.01) at all MC phases. The decrease in EMG during MVC did not differ between the MC phases; however, mean power frequency was higher during M (+7.7%; P < 0.05) and mid LUT (+3.1%; P < 0.05) compared with OV (−7.5%). Resting twitch force decreased during mid FOL (−6.9%; P < 0.05) and mid LUT (−16.2%; P < 0.001), and these values were significantly decreased (P < 0.05) compared with OV. In addition, resting twitch force at mid LUT was lower (P < 0.01) compared with M. Blood lactate levels increased more (P < 0.05) during M compared with mid LUT. Some serum hormone concentrations were associated with fatigue-induced changes in neuromuscular properties and force production, but these correlations behaved differently between the MC phases. Conclusions OV may offer a more favorable hormonal milieu for acute neural responses, whereas mid FOL and mid LUT seem to be superior for acute muscular responses.
Class, politics and dynamic accumulation processes around the Sino-Mozambican rice project in the lower Limpopo, 2005–2014

ABSTRACT This study levels an international political economy lens at the development of the Sino-Mozambican rice project in the lower Limpopo, by examining how class relations shaped and were shaped by global trends, Chinese resources and Mozambican dynamic accumulation interests. The Sino-Mozambican rice project (2005–2014) is analysed as three projects benefiting different groups, with a focus on producer selection and allocation of means of production, in dialogue with the historical dynamics of agrarian accumulation and the political economy of Mozambique. The paper argues that the project has served the expansionist interests of the ruling capitalist group associated with central government circles, limiting land-based possibilities at province level. In addition, the plan to locally transform small producers into rural capitalists through ‘modern’ Chinese methods has failed to confront the historical interdependence of the commercial and so-called family sectors and the diversity of livelihood sources for the reproduction of food and labour.
A Fresh Shot at Statistics in the Classroom: Three Perspectives Using World Cup Soccer Player Data

Abstract In this article, we outline several activities revolving around soccer players who participated in the 2018 FIFA World Cup and 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup. Classroom activities are described from different perspectives, useful for a range of different statistics courses. In a first semester probability theory course, students investigate the counter-intuitive birthday paradox empirically and theoretically. For an introductory data science course, students practice their data wrangling skills using the statistical software R. Additional activities are shared for those instructors interested in emphasizing multivariable thinking in a second semester applied statistical modeling course. The activities shared will provide a range of opportunities for instructors to incorporate the FIFA World Cup data in their own courses. Supplementary files for this article are available online.
Blood from Rats of Different Sexes and Physiological Stages Affects Reproduction of Aedes albopictus

Abstract. Aedes albopictus (Skuse, 1894) has an opportunistic feeding behavior with preference for mammals in different ecological landscapes. However, little is known of the host-seeking behavior and how host selection affects Ae. albopictus. Previously, we found the sex and physiological stage of rats [Rattus norvegicus (Berkenhout), strain Wistar] affected the attraction of Ae. albopictus females. Here, we studied whether blood from different sexes and physiological stages of rats affected the reproduction of Ae. albopictus females in laboratory. The gonotrophic cycle of female mosquitoes fed blood from immature female rats was shorter than those fed blood from mature rats. Time to egg hatching ranged from 1.85 to 1.89 days. Mean time of larval development of Ae. albopictus varied from 8.44 to 8.50 days, and the mean time of duration of the pupal stage of Ae. albopictus varied from 2.01 to 2.07 days depending on the type of blood source the females were fed. The mean total time for development of immature Ae. albopictus was 10.48 to 10.50 days. Female mosquitoes laid more eggs, the percentage of eggs that hatched was greater, and emerged adults had a female-biased sex ratio when fed blood from immature female rats compared to those fed other rat sources of blood. Results of the study are relevant, considering Ae. albopictus might be a potential vector of zoonotic and human arboviruses.
Assessment of Code, Which Aspects Do Teachers Consider and How Are They Valued?

In many countries, computer programming is becoming an integral part of the secondary school curriculum. However, many teachers, especially in the first years of Flemish secondary school, have limited experience with teaching programming. To improve their knowledge about programming, many different types of professional development programs have been proposed. Nevertheless, these programs mostly focus on technical skills and less on pedagogical skills. One aspect that is often overlooked in these programs is how teachers can assess code. To get insight into what teachers currently value when assessing code, we designed an experiment that analyzes the different aspects teachers consider during the assessment of code. During the experiment, the teachers (N=13) assess a set of programs from five different fictional learners. After the assessment, they participated in a semi-structured interview, giving us insight into the assessment process. We evaluated the transcripts of the interviews using deductive thematic analysis using a coding schema defining the different aspects of code that can be assessed. Additionally, we linked the assessment strategies of teachers to their teaching experience. Our results indicate that many teachers are unaware of the different concepts that can be part of the assessment of code, which might lead to inaccurate or invalid feedback. Moreover, although our experimental group was too small to draw hard conclusions about the inter-case results, our results indicate that the number of concepts considered by teachers seems to increase with experience. These results provide an initial insight into the code assessment practices of teachers and reveals interesting pathways for future research into the assessment of code.
Geomorphological and hydrological heritage of Mt. Stara Planina in SE Serbia: From river protection initiative to potential geotouristic destination

Abstract Mt. Stara Planina is located in the eastern part of the Republic of Serbia and represents the westernmost part of the large mountain massif of the Balkans. Both endogenous and exogenous forces created interesting geomorphological and hydrological features for geotourism development in this area. This article proposes a preliminary list of geomorphological and hydrological sites and analyses them to reveal which geosite possesses geotourism potential. This research was carried out by applying the modified geosite assessment model. In this article, ten geosites were singled out based on the degree of their attractiveness for geotourism development. The results reveal information about the key fields of improvement for each evaluated geosite, and identify which areas require more attention and better management in the upcoming period for Mt. Stara Planina to become a well-known geotourism destination that would attract a large number of tourists in the future.
circ-CFH promotes the development of HCC by regulating cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration, invasion, and glycolysis through the miR-377-3p/RNF38 axis

Abstract Circular RNAs (circRNAs) have previously been confirmed to function as vital regulators in multiple human cancers, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This study aimed to clarify the role and underlying molecular mechanisms of circ-CFH in HCC. circ-CFH was overexpressed in HCC tissues and cells, and the downregulation of circ-CFH inhibited the development of HCC by repressing cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and glycolysis while enhancing apoptosis in vitro, as well as inhibited tumor growth in vivo. miR-377-3p was negatively regulated by circ-CFH, and silencing of miR-377-3p abolished circ-CFH knockdown-mediated effects on HCC cells. Moreover, overexpression of miR-377-3p could impede the HCC process by targeting RNF38. Mechanistically, the circ-CFH/miR-377-3p/RNF38 axis regulated the progression of HCC cells, which might provide new diagnostic markers for HCC.
Periodic spatial patterning with a single morphogen

Multicellular development employs periodic spatial patterning to generate repetitive structures such as digits, vertebrae, and teeth. Turing patterning has long provided a key paradigm for understanding such systems. The simplest Turing systems are believed to require at least two signals, or morphogens, that diffuse and react to spontaneously generate periodic patterns. Here, using mathematical modeling, we show that a minimal circuit comprising an intracellular positive feedback loop and a single diffusible morphogen is sufficient to generate stable, long-range spatially periodic cellular patterns. The model considers cells as discrete entities as a key feature, and incorporates transient boundary conditions. Linear stability analysis reveals that this single-morphogen Turing circuit can support a broad range of spatial wavelengths, including fine-grain patterns similar to those generated by classic lateral inhibition systems. Further, signals emanating from a boundary can initiate and stabilize propagating modes with a well-defined spatial wavelength. Once formed, patterns are self-sustaining and robust to noise. Finally, while noise can disrupt patterning in pre-patterned regions, its disruptive effect can be overcome by a bistable intracellular circuit loop, or by considering patterning in the context of growing tissue. Together, these results show that a single morphogen can be sufficient for robust spatial pattern formation, and should provide a foundation for engineering pattern formation in the emerging field of synthetic developmental biology.
Robust and durable prophylactic protection conferred by RNA interference in preclinical models of SARS-CoV-2

RNA interference is a natural antiviral mechanism that could be harnessed to combat SARS-CoV-2 infection by targeting and destroying the viral genome. We screened lipophilic small-interfering RNA (siRNA) conjugates targeting highly conserved regions of the SARS-CoV-2 genome and identified leads targeting outside of the spike-encoding region capable of achieving ≥3-log viral reduction. Serial passaging studies demonstrated that a two-siRNA combination prevented development of resistance compared to a single-siRNA approach. A two-siRNA combination delivered intranasally protected Syrian hamsters from weight loss and lung pathology by viral infection upon prophylactic administration but not following onset of infection. Together, the data support potential utility of RNAi as a prophylactic approach to limit SARS-CoV-2 infection that may help combat emergent variants, complement existing interventions, or protect populations where vaccines are less effective. Most importantly, this strategy has implications for developing medicines that may be valuable in protecting against future coronavirus pandemics.
Parallel processing, hierarchical transformations, and sensorimotor associations along the ‘where’ pathway

Visually guided behaviors require the brain to transform ambiguous retinal images into object-level spatial representations and implement sensorimotor transformations. These processes are supported by the dorsal ‘where’ pathway. However, the specific functional contributions of areas along this pathway remain elusive due in part to methodological differences across studies. We previously showed that macaque caudal intraparietal (CIP) area neurons possess robust three-dimensional (3D) visual representations, carry choice-related and presaccadic activity, and exhibit experience-dependent sensorimotor associations (Chang et al., 2020b). Here, we used a common experimental design to reveal parallel processing, hierarchical transformations, and the formation of sensorimotor associations along the ‘where’ pathway by extending the investigation to V3A, a major feedforward input to CIP. Higher-level 3D representations and choice-related activity were more prevalent in CIP than V3A. Both areas contained presaccadic activity that predicted the direction/timing of eye movements. Intriguingly, the time-course of presaccadic activity in CIP aligned with the temporally integrated V3A output. Sensorimotor associations between 3D orientation and saccade direction preferences were strongest in CIP and moderated by choice signals in both areas. Together, the results explicate parallel representations, hierarchical transformations, and functional associations of visual and presaccadic signals at a key juncture in the ‘where’ pathway.
slendr: a framework for spatio-temporal population genomic simulations on geographic landscapes

One of the goals of population genetics is to understand how evolutionary forces shape patterns of genetic variation over time. However, because populations evolve across both time and space, most evolutionary processes also have an important spatial component, acting through phenomena such as isolation by distance, local mate choice, or uneven distribution of resources. This spatial dimension is often neglected, partly due to the lack of tools specifically designed for building and evaluating complex spatio-temporal population genetic models. To address this methodological gap, we present a new framework for simulating spatially-explicit genomic data, implemented in a new R package called slendr (www.slendr.net), which leverages a SLiM simulation back-end script bundled with the package. With this framework, the users can programmatically and visually encode spatial population ranges and their temporal dynamics (i.e., population displacements, expansions, and contractions) either on real Earth landscapes or on abstract custom maps, and schedule splits and gene-flow events between populations using a straightforward declarative language. Additionally, slendr can simulate data from traditional, non-spatial models, either with SLiM or using an alternative built-in coalescent msprime back end. Together with its R-idiomatic interface to the tskit library for tree-sequence processing and analysis, slendr opens up the possibility of performing efficient, reproducible simulations of spatio-temporal genomic data entirely within the R environment, leveraging its wealth of libraries for geospatial data analysis, statistics, and visualization. Here, we present the design of the slendr R package and demonstrate its features on several practical example workflows.
A novel method for reliably measuring miniature and spontaneous postsynaptic potentials/currents in whole-cell patch clamp recordings in the central nervous system

In chemical synapses of the central nervous system (CNS), information is transmitted via the presynaptic release of a vesicle (or ‘quantum’) of neurotransmitter, which elicits a postsynaptic electrical response with an amplitude termed the ‘quantal size’. This key determinant of neural computation is hard to measure reliably due to its small size and the multiple sources of noise within neurons and electrophysiological recordings. Measuring amplitudes of miniature postsynaptic currents (mPSCs) or potentials (mPSPs) at the cell soma potentially offers a technically straightforward way to estimate quantal sizes, as each of these miniature responses (or ‘minis’) is elicited by the spontaneous release of a single neurotransmitter vesicle. However, a somatically recorded mini is typically massively attenuated compared with at its input site, and a significant fraction are indistinguishable from (or cancelled out by) background noise fluctuations. For minis to be accurately estimated, the noise component would need to be characterised independently. As the first step in devising such a method, we developed and described a novel mPSP/mPSC detection algorithm as part of our quantal analysis software called ‘minis’. We tested its performance in detecting simulated minis in whole-cell recordings from pyramidal neurons in rat neocortical slices and compared it to two of the most-used mini detection algorithms. This benchmarking revealed superior detection by our algorithm. The release version of the algorithm also offers great flexibility via graphical and programming interfaces. Significance statement Accurately measuring the range of electrical ‘sizes’ of synapses in the brain is critical for understanding neural computations. As an important first step, we introduce a novel algorithm for detecting voltage or current transients (‘minis’) resulting from synapses spontaneously releasing vesicles containing neurotransmitters. We objectively evaluate this algorithm and compare it to other popular algorithms used for detecting spontaneous synaptic responses, setting an important methodological standard. Because of its superior performance and flexibility, our algorithm also offers a useful technological improvement for synapse researchers. The evaluation process we use highlights common methodological pitfalls bedevilling spontaneous synaptic signalling research, and points to potential solutions.
Pyrroloquinoline Quinone inhibits PCSK9, augments LDLR recycling and enhances the effect of atorvastatin

High fat diet intake or statin therapy are known to increase the expression of PCSK9, a key factor involved in the lipid metabolism. Inhibition of PCSK9 is a potential novel strategy for treatment of CVD. Aim of the present study is to investigate the effect of PQQ and atorvastatin on PCSK9 expression in high fat, 10% fructose diet (HFFD) fed rats. Rats received HFFD for 10 weeks followed by treatment of 5 weeks with ATS 10 or 20 mg/kg, PQQ 10 or 20 mg/kg, p.o. per se or in combinations. The effect of the treatments on serum lipid profile, transaminases and PCSK9 concentrations was estimated. Hepatic expressions of PCSK9 and LDLR were quantified by real time quantitative Polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and western blotting analysis. Compared with the positive control, rats receiving PQQ and ATS showed significant decrease in serum levels of triglycerides, total cholesterol, LDL, VLDL, non-HDL and atherogenic index. Further, drug treatment resulted in decreased serum ALT and AST levels (P < 0.0001). PQQ in combination with atorvastatin reduced serum PCSK9 levels (P < 0.0001) while downregulating the hepatic expression of PCSK9 (P < 0.0001) and increasing the expression of LDL-R (P < 0.001) and rescuing its degradation. PQQ along with atorvastatin prevented the LDLR degradation that was induced in the HFFD fed rats by decreasing PCSK9 expression. The results support an improvement in cholesterol management by adding PQQ to statin treatment. Graphical abstract
Paradoxical activation of SREBP1c and de novo lipogenesis by hepatocyte-selective ACLY depletion in obese mice

Hepatic steatosis associated with high fat diets, obesity and type 2 diabetes is thought to be the major driver of severe liver inflammation, fibrosis, and cirrhosis. Cytosolic acetyl-coenzyme A (AcCoA), a central metabolite and substrate for de novo lipogenesis (DNL), is produced from citrate by ATP-citrate lyase (ACLY) and from acetate through AcCoA synthase short chain family member 2 (ACSS2). However, the relative contributions of these two enzymes to hepatic AcCoA pools and DNL rates in response to high fat feeding is unknown. We report here that hepatocyte-selective depletion of either ACSS2 or ACLY caused similar 50% decreases in liver AcCoA levels in obese mice, showing that both pathways contribute to generation of this DNL substrate. Unexpectedly however, the hepatocyte ACLY depletion in obese mice paradoxically increased total DNL flux measured by D2O incorporation into palmitate, while in contrast ACSS2 depletion had no effect. The increase in liver DNL upon ACLY depletion was associated with increased expression of nuclear sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1c (SREBP1c) and of its target DNL enzymes. This upregulated DNL enzyme expression explains the increased rate of palmitate synthesis in ACLY depleted livers. Furthermore, this increased flux through DNL may also contribute to the observed depletion of AcCoA levels due to its increased conversion to Malonyl CoA (MalCoA) and palmitate. Together, these data indicate that in HFD fed obese mice, hepatic DNL is not limited by its immediate substrates AcCoA or MalCoA, but rather by activities of DNL enzymes.
Triple Notch/Tgfβ/FoxO1 blockade converts multiple intestinal sub-lineages into β-like cells and lowers glycemia in diabetic animals

Insulin is the essential treatment of Type 1 (T1D) and is often used in Type 2 Diabetes. For nearly five decades, efforts have been focused on replenishing β-cells in T1D patients as a more durable treatment. Gut endocrine cells can be converted into insulin-producing cells, but their numbers are limited. In this study we report that insulin-immunoreactive cells with Paneth/goblet cell features are present in human fetal intestine, in addition to enteroendocrine cells. Accordingly, lineage tracing experiments show that, besides enterochromaffin cells, the Paneth/goblet lineage can undergo conversion to the insulin lineage upon genetic or pharmacologic Foxo1 ablation in mice. We leveraged these data to design a screening platform in organoids to accurately quantitate β-like cell reprogramming and fine-tune a combination treatment to increase the efficiency of the conversion process by expanding the intestinal secretory lineage. We identified a triple blockade of FoxO1, Notch, and Tgfβ that, when tested in insulin-deficient diabetic animals resulted in a near-normalization of glucose levels, associated with the appearance of gut insulin-producing cells. The findings illustrate a therapeutic approach to replace insulin treatment in diabetes.
3D simulation and database establishment for standard cylindrical gears

In order to establish the standard cylindrical gear sketches and 3D model database,based on the drawing software of solidworks,according to the principle of mechanical design,a standard cylindrical spur gears,helical gears,herringbone gears sketch were made.The standard cylindrical spur gears,helical gears,herringbone gears with thousands of items of data were related to the gears sketch in the equation,in the sketch so long as number of teeth and modulus data was changed,the gear sketches and 3D features under the new data were gotten.The results indicate that it makes the counter gear's design and processing convenient,and the teaching has the very vital practical significance.The corresponding tiles and equations can also be done using Solidworks software plug-ins.