Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
γ‐Aminobutyric acid type B receptors facilitate L‐type and attenuate N‐type Ca2+ currents in isolated hippocampal neurons

Activation of presynaptic γ‐aminobutyric acid type B (GABAB) receptors inhibits neurotransmitter release at many synapses (both excitatory and inhibitory), and activation of postsynaptic GABAB receptors leads to a general inhibition of the postsynaptic cell in mature neurons. Although the action of GABAB receptors at the soma of excitatory hippocampal pyramidal cells has been resolved to be regulation of a potassium or calcium conductance, it is not clear that all neurons in the hippocampus demonstrate similar effects of GABAB receptor activation. In the current study, GABAB receptor‐mediated effects on calcium currents in acute cultures composed of heterogeneous cells from the superior region of neonatal hippocampi were studied. In 54.5% of cells, the GABAB receptor agonist baclofen (10 μM) attenuated the whole‐cell calcium current by 21.0% ± 1.1%. In 29.9% of cells, baclofen facilitated the calcium current by 43.5% ± 8.1%. The component of current attenuated by baclofen was blocked by the N‐type calcium channel antagonist ω‐conotoxin GVIA (3 μM). The component of current facilitated by baclofen was blocked by the L‐type channel antagonist nimodipine (20 μM). For cells that showed calcium current facilitation, baclofen shifted the half‐maximal activation by approximately –14 mV. The data indicate that activation of GABAB receptors in neurons of the superior hippocampus attenuates current through N‐type channels and facilitates current through L‐type channels. The two opposing effects of GABAB receptor activation may reflect the heterogeneity of the cultured cells or may be a developmentally regulated phenomenon. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Tactile identification of objects using Bayesian exploration

In order to endow robots with human-like tactile sensory abilities, they must be provided with tactile sensors and intelligent algorithms to select and control useful exploratory movements and interpret data from all available sensors. Current robotic systems do not possess such sensors or algorithms. In this study we integrate multimodal tactile sensing (force, vibration and temperature) from the BioTac® with a Shadow Dexterous Hand and program the robot to make exploratory movements similar to those humans make when identifying objects by their compliance, texture, and thermal properties. Signal processing strategies were developed to provide measures of these perceptual properties. When identifying an object, exploratory movements are intelligently selected using a process we have previously developed called Bayesian exploration [1], whereby exploratory movements that provide the most disambiguation between likely candidates of objects are automatically selected. The exploration algorithm was augmented with reinforcement learning whereby its internal representations of objects evolved according to its cumulative experience with them. This allowed the algorithm to compensate for drift in the performance of the anthropomorphic robot hand and the ambient conditions of testing, improving accuracy while reducing the number of exploratory movements required to identify an object. The robot correctly identified 10 different objects on 99 out of 100 presentations.
Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews Review " Eating Addiction " , Rather than " Food Addiction " , Better Captures Addictive-like Eating Behavior

" Food addiction " has become a focus of interest for researchers attempting to explain certain processes and/or behaviors that may contribute to the development of obesity. Although the scientific discussion on " food addiction " is in its nascent stage, it has potentially important implications for treatment and prevention strategies. As such, it is important to critically reflect on the appropriateness of the term " food addiction " , which combines the concepts of " substance-based " and behavioral addiction. The currently available evidence for a substance-based food addiction is poor, partly because systematic clinical and translational studies are still at an early stage. We do however view both animal and existing human data as consistent with the existence of addictive eating behavior. Accordingly, we stress that similar to other behaviors eating can become an addiction in thus predisposed individuals under specific environmental circumstances. Here, we introduce current diagnostic and neurobiological concepts of substance-related and non-substance-related addictive disorders, and highlight the similarities and dissimilarities between addiction and overeating. We conclude that " food addiction " is a misnomer because of the ambiguous connotation of a substance-related phenomenon. We instead propose the term " eating addiction " to underscore the behavioral addiction to eating; future research should attempt to define the diagnostic criteria for an eating addiction, for which DSM-5 now offers an umbrella via the introduction on Non-Substance-Related Disorders within the category Substance-Related and Addictive Disorders.
Assessment of a Smart Sensing Shoe for Gait Phase Detection in Level Walking

Gait analysis and more specifically ambulatory monitoring of temporal and spatial gait parameters may open relevant fields of applications in activity tracking, sports and also in the assessment and treatment of specific diseases. Wearable technology can boost this scenario by spreading the adoption of monitoring systems to a wide set of healthy users or patients. In this context, we assessed a recently developed commercial smart shoe—the FootMoov—for automatic gait phase detection in level walking. FootMoov has built-in force sensors and a triaxial accelerometer and is able to transmit the sensor data to the smartphone through a wireless connection. We developed a dedicated gait phase detection algorithm relying both on force and inertial information. We tested the smart shoe on ten healthy subjects in free level walking conditions and in a laboratory setting in comparison with an optical motion capture system. Results confirmed a reliable detection of the gait phases. The maximum error committed, on the order of 44.7 ms, is comparable with previous studies. Our results confirmed the possibility to exploit consumer wearable devices to extract relevant parameters to improve the subject health or to better manage his/her progressions.
Stability and Validity of an Automated Measure of Vocal Development From Day‐Long Samples in Children With and Without Autism Spectrum Disorder

Individual difference measures of vocal development may eventually aid our understanding of the variability in spoken language acquisition in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Large samples of child vocalizations may be needed to maximize the stability of vocal development estimates. Day‐long vocal samples can now be automatically analyzed based on acoustic characteristics of speech likeness identified in theoretically driven and empirically cross‐validated quantitative models of typical vocal development. This report indicates that a single day‐long recording can produce a stable estimate for a measure of vocal development that is highly related to expressive spoken language in a group of young children with ASD and in a group that is typically developing. Autism Res 2013, 6: 103–107. © 2013 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Risk factors of severe pneumonia among children aged 2-59 months in western Kenya: a case control study

Introduction Globally, pneumonia is the leading cause of death in children under the age of 5 years. In Kenya, it is the second leading cause of mortality, accounting for greater than 30,000 deaths in this age group annually. This study sought to identify risk factors for severe pneumonia in children under the age of five years. Methods We conducted a case control study. Cases were children aged 2 to59 months with severe pneumonia or very severe pneumonia and controls were those with non-severe pneumonia as defined by the integrated management of childhood illnesses classification. We administered structured questionnaires to mothers of participants to obtain data on socio-demographics, nutritional status and potential environmental risk factors. Data was analyzed using Epi Info; significance level was set at 0.05. Results We recruited 103 cases and 103 controls. The median age of cases was 14.0 (Range 3-58) months and of controls 14.0 (Range 2-54) months. Comorbidity (Odds Ratio = 3.8, Confidence Interval 1.4-10.6), delay in seeking treatment for three days or more (Odds Ratio = 2.3, Confidence Interval 1.2-4.2) and contact with upper respiratory tract infection (Odds Ratio = 2.7, Confidence Interval 1.1-6.5) were independent risk factors for severe pneumonia. Receiving antibiotics at home (Odds Ratio = 0.4, Confidence Interval 0.2-0.8) was protective. Conclusion Co-morbidity, contact with upper respiratory tract infection and delay in seeking treatment are risk factors for severe pneumonia. We recommend health education regarding appropriate health seeking and engaging community health workers in pneumonia prevention, control and treatment.
Defending Mobile Phones from Proximity Malware

As mobile phones increasingly become the target of propagating malware, their use of direct pair-wise communication mechanisms, such as Bluetooth and WiFi, pose considerable challenges to malware detection and mitigation. Unlike malware that propagates using the network, where the provider can employ centralized defenses, proximity malware can propagate in an entirely distributed fashion. In this paper we consider the dynamics of mobile phone malware that propagates by proximity contact, and we evaluate potential defenses against it. Defending against proximity malware is particularly challenging since it is difficult to piece together global dynamics from just pair-wise device interactions. Whereas traditional network defenses depend upon observing aggregated network activity to detect correlated or anomalous behavior, proximity malware detection must begin at the device. As a result, we explore three strategies for detecting and mitigating proximity malware that span the spectrum from simple local detection to a globally coordinated defense. Using insight from a combination of real-world traces, analytic epidemic models, and synthetic mobility models, we simulate proximity malware propagation and defense at the scale of a university campus. We find that local proximity-based dissemination of signatures can limit malware propagation. Globally coordinated strategies with broadcast dissemination are substantially more effective, but rely upon more demanding infrastructure within the provider.
DNA Damage Signaling Is Required for Replication of Human Bocavirus 1 DNA in Dividing HEK293 Cells

ABSTRACT Human bocavirus 1 (HBoV1), an emerging human-pathogenic respiratory virus, is a member of the genus Bocaparvovirus of the Parvoviridae family. In human airway epithelium air-liquid interface (HAE-ALI) cultures, HBoV1 infection initiates a DNA damage response (DDR), activating all three phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-related kinases (PI3KKs): ATM, ATR, and DNA-PKcs. In this context, activation of PI3KKs is a requirement for amplification of the HBoV1 genome (X. Deng, Z. Yan, F. Cheng, J. F. Engelhardt, and J. Qiu, PLoS Pathog, 12:e1005399, 2016, https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.ppat.1005399 ), and HBoV1 replicates only in terminally differentiated, nondividing cells. This report builds on the previous discovery that the replication of HBoV1 DNA can also occur in dividing HEK293 cells, demonstrating that such replication is likewise dependent on a DDR. Transfection of HEK293 cells with the duplex DNA genome of HBoV1 induces hallmarks of DDR, including phosphorylation of H2AX and RPA32, as well as activation of all three PI3KKs. The large viral nonstructural protein NS1 is sufficient to induce the DDR and the activation of the three PI3KKs. Pharmacological inhibition or knockdown of any one of the PI3KKs significantly decreases both the replication of HBoV1 DNA and the downstream production of progeny virions. The DDR induced by the HBoV1 NS1 protein does not cause obvious damage to cellular DNA or arrest of the cell cycle. Notably, key DNA replication factors and major DNA repair DNA polymerases (polymerase η [Pol η] and polymerase κ [Pol κ]) are recruited to the viral DNA replication centers and facilitate HBoV1 DNA replication. Our study provides the first evidence of the DDR-dependent parvovirus DNA replication that occurs in dividing cells and is independent of cell cycle arrest. IMPORTANCE The parvovirus human bocavirus 1 (HBoV1) is an emerging respiratory virus that causes lower respiratory tract infections in young children worldwide. HEK293 cells are the only dividing cells tested that fully support the replication of the duplex genome of this virus and allow the production of progeny virions. In this study, we demonstrate that HBoV1 induces a DDR that plays significant roles in the replication of the viral DNA and the production of progeny virions in HEK293 cells. We also show that both cellular DNA replication factors and DNA repair DNA polymerases colocalize within centers of viral DNA replication and that Pol η and Pol κ play an important role in HBoV1 DNA replication. Whereas the DDR that leads to the replication of the DNA of other parvoviruses is facilitated by the cell cycle, the DDR triggered by HBoV1 DNA replication or NS1 is not. HBoV1 is the first parvovirus whose NS1 has been shown to be able to activate all three PI3KKs (ATM, ATR, and DNA-PKcs).
Improving participant comprehension in the informed consent process.

PURPOSE To critically analyze studies published within the past decade about participants' comprehension of informed consent in clinical research and to identify promising intervention strategies. DESIGN Integrative review of literature. METHODS The Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), PubMed, and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched. Inclusion criteria included studies (a) published between January 1, 1996 and January 1, 2007, (b) designed as descriptive or interventional studies of comprehension of informed consent for clinical research, (c) conducted in nonpsychiatric adult populations who were either patients or volunteer participants, (d) written in English, and (e) published in peer-reviewed journals. FINDINGS Of the 980 studies identified, 319 abstracts were screened, 154 studies were reviewed, and 23 met the inclusion criteria. Thirteen studies (57%) were descriptive, and 10 (43%) were interventional. Interventions tested included simplified written consent documents, multimedia approaches, and the use of a trained professional (consent educator) to assist in the consent process. Collectively, no single intervention strategy was consistently associated with improved comprehension. Studies also varied in regard to the definition of comprehension and the tools used to measure it. CONCLUSIONS Despite increasing regulatory scrutiny, deficiencies still exist in participant comprehension of the research in which they participate, as well as differences in how comprehension is measured and assessed. No single intervention was identified as consistently successful for improving participant comprehension, and results indicated that any successful consent process should at a minimum include various communication modes and is likely to require one-to-one interaction with someone knowledgeable about the study.
An Immersed Interface Method for Incompressible Navier-Stokes Equations

The method developed in this paper is motivated by Peskin's immersed boundary (IB) method, and allows one to model the motion of flexible membranes or other structures immersed in viscous incompressible fluid using a fluid solver on a fixed Cartesian grid. The IB method uses a set of discrete delta functions to spread the entire singular force exerted by the immersed boundary to the nearby fluid grid points. Our method instead incorporates part of this force into jump conditions for the pressure, avoiding discrete dipole terms that adversely affect the accuracy near the immersed boundary. This has been implemented for the two-dimensional incompressible Navier--Stokes equations using a high-resolution finite-volume method for the advective terms and a projection method to enforce incompressibility. In the projection step, the correct jump in pressure is imposed in the course of solving the Poisson problem. This gives sharp resolution of the pressure across the interface and also gives better volume conservation than the traditional IB method. Comparisons between this method and the IB method are presented for several test problems. Numerical studies of the convergence and order of accuracy are included.
Chortle-crf: fast technology mapping for lookup table-based FPGAs

A new technology mapping algorithm for lookup tablebased Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGA) is presented. The major innovation is a method for choosing gate-level decompositions based on bin packing. This approach is up to 28 times faster than a previous exhaustive approach. The algorithm also exploits reconvergent paths and replication of logic at fanout nodes to reduce the number of lookup tables in the circuit. The new algorithm is implemented in the Chortle-crf program. In an experimental comparison Chortle-crf requires 14 YO fewer lookup tables than Chortle [Fran90] and 10 ~o fewer lookup tables than mis-pga [Murg90a] to implement a set of benchmark networks. Chortle-crf can also implement a network as a circuit of Xilinx 3000 series Configurable Logic Blocks (CLBS). To implement the benchmark networks as circuits of CLBS Chortle-crf requires 12 70 fewer CLBS than mis-pga and 22 % fewer CLBS than XNFOPT [Xili89]. In these experiments Chortle-crf waa an average of 68 times faster than mis-pga and 30 times faster than XNFOPT. 1
Handbook of peace and conflict studies

Introduction 1. Toward a Philosophy and Metapsychology of Peace Charles Webel 2. Peace by Peaceful Conflict Transformation: The Transcend Approach Johan Galtung Part 1: Understanding and Transforming Conflict 3. Negotiation Fen Hampson, Chester Crocker and Pamela Aall 4. Mediation Sara Horowitz 5. Former Yugoslavia and Iraq: A Comparative Analysis of International Conflict Mismanagement Jan Oberg 6. Peace Studies and Peace Politics: Multicultural Common Security in North-South Conflict Situations Kinhide Mushakoji 7. Disarmament Marc Pilisuk 8. Nuclear Disarmament David Krieger Part 2: Creating Peace 9. Peace and Conflict Counseling and Training: The Transcend Approach Gudrun Kramer, Wilfried Graf and Augustin Nicolescou 10. Nonviolence - More Than the Absence of Violence Joergen Johansen 11. Human Rights/Peace Processes Jim Ife 12. Reconciliation Joanna Santa Barbara 13. Peace as a Self-Regulating Process Dietrich Fischer Part 3: Supporting Peace 14. Gender and Peace: Towards a Gender-Inclusive Holistic Perspective Tony Jenkins and Betty Reardon 15. Peace Business Jack Santa Barbara 16. Peace Journalism Jake Lynch and Annabel McGoldrick 17. Peace Psychology: Theory and Practice Antonella Sapio and Adriano Zamperini 18. Rethinking Peace Education Alicia Cabezudo and Magnus Haavelsrud Part 4: Peace Across the Disciplines 19. Peace Studies as a Transdisciplinary Project Chadwick Alger 20. The Spirit of War and the Spirit of Peace: Understanding the Role of Religion Graeme MacQueen 21. International Law: Amid Power, Order and Justice Richard Falk 22. The Language Game of Peace Anat Biletzki 23. Peace and the Arts Patrick McCarthy 24. Peace through Health? Neil Arya Conclusion Johan Galtung and Charles Webel
Transfer From Offline Trust to Key Online Perceptions: An Empirical Study

Research has provided little evidence that trust in an offline bank can encourage adoption of the bank's online business. Yet, more and more brick-and-mortar banks and other businesses are investing in online Web sites that supposedly ldquoleveragerdquo positive consumer impressions of their offline business. The main purpose of this study is to test empirically whether or not trust in an offline bank transfers (i.e., influences) perceptions about that company's online bank. In order to do so, we analyze how trust in an offline bank influences four perceptions about its online banking counterpart (flow, structural assurance, perceived Web site satisfaction, and perceived extent of future use). The study tests the hypothesized influence of offline trust using a sample of 199 South Korean consumers responding about offline and online banking. Results show that offline trust influences all four online perceptions, just as proposed. These effects were especially prominent among respondents new to online banking. Thus, offline-to-online transfer should be considered when designing strategies for online channels. This study fills a key research gap by examining transfer of cognitive beliefs from an offline to an online setting.
Fostering Trauma-Free Mental Health Workplace Cultures and Reducing Seclusion and Restraint

Literature on the factors which precipitate the use of seclusion and restraint on mental health consumers is typically confined to their behaviour and/or the behaviour and attitudes of the involved clinical staff. These understandings do not sufficiently take account of workplace cultural factors and political influences within a societal context of prejudice against people with mental illness. The elimination of coercive and restrictive clinical practices is called for by mental health carer forums, national and state level mental health reports and policies, and concerned mental health clinicians. The authors argue this will require radical change by all staff in the mental health system as violence is a systemic issue which creates a culture where clinical practices are prone to reinforcing this systemic violence. A mapping template and a warrants schema are presented as examples of tools to enable trauma-informed cultural change in mental health systems.
MAFA and T3 Drive Maturation of Both Fetal Human Islets and Insulin-Producing Cells Differentiated From hESC.

CONTEXT Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) differentiated toward β-cells and fetal human pancreatic islet cells resemble each other transcriptionally and are characterized by immaturity with a lack of glucose responsiveness, low levels of insulin content, and impaired proinsulin-to-insulin processing. However, their response to stimuli that promote functionality have not been compared. OBJECTIVE The objective of the study was to evaluate the effects of our previous strategies for functional maturation developed in rodents in these two human models of β-cell immaturity and compare their responses. Design, Settings, Participants, and Interventions: In proof-of-principle experiments using either adenoviral-mediated overexpression of V-Maf avian musculoaponeurotic fibrosarcoma oncogene homolog A (MAFA) or the physiologically driven path via thyroid hormone (T3) and human fetal islet-like cluster (ICC) functional maturity was evaluated. Then the effects of T3 were evaluated upon the functional maturation of hESCs differentiated toward β-cells. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Functional maturation was evaluated by the following parameters: glucose responsiveness, insulin content, expression of the mature β-cell transcription factor MAFA, and proinsulin-to-insulin processing. RESULTS ICCs responded positively to MAFA overexpression and T3 treatment as assessed by two different maturation parameters: increased insulin secretion at 16.8 mM glucose and increased proinsulin-to-insulin processing. In hESCs differentiated toward β-cells, T3 enhanced MAFA expression, increased insulin content (probably mediated by the increased MAFA), and increased insulin secretion at 16.8 mM glucose. CONCLUSION T3 is a useful in vitro stimulus to promote human β-cell maturation as shown in both human fetal ICCs and differentiated hESCs. The degree of maturation induced varied in the two models, possibly due to the different developmental status at the beginning of the study.