Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Validation of Energy Expenditure Prediction Models Using Real-Time Shoe-Based Motion Detectors

OBJECTIVE This study aimed to verify and compare the accuracy of energy expenditure (EE) prediction models using shoe-based motion detectors with embedded accelerometers. METHODS Three physical activity (PA) datasets (unclassified, recognition, and intensity segmentation) were used to develop three prediction models. A multiple classification flow and these models were used to estimate EE. The "unclassified" dataset was defined as the data without PA recognition, the "recognition" as the data classified with PA recognition, and the "intensity segmentation" as the data with intensity segmentation. The three datasets contained accelerometer signals (quantified as signal magnitude area (SMA)) and net heart rate (HRnet). The accuracy of these models was assessed according to the deviation between physically measured EE and model-estimated EE. RESULTS The variance between physically measured EE and model-estimated EE expressed by simple linear regressions was increased by 63% and 13% using SMA and HRnet, respectively. The accuracy of the EE predicted from accelerometer signals is influenced by the different activities that exhibit different count-EE relationships within the same prediction model. CONCLUSION The recognition model provides a better estimation and lower variability of EE compared with the unclassified and intensity segmentation models. SIGNIFICANCE The proposed shoe-based motion detectors can improve the accuracy of EE estimation and has great potential to be used to manage everyday exercise in real time.
Optimal binary linear locally repairable codes with disjoint repair groups

In recent years, several classes of codes are introduced to provide some fault-tolerance and guarantee system reliability in distributed storage systems, among which locally repairable codes (LRCs for short) play an important role. However, most known constructions are over large fields with sizes close to the code length, which lead to the systems computationally expensive. Due to this, binary LRCs are of interest in practice. In this paper, we focus on binary linear LRCs with disjoint repair groups. We first derive an explicit bound for the dimension k of such codes, which can be served as a generalization of the bounds given in [11, 36, 37]. We also give several new constructions of binary LRCs with minimum distance $d = 6$ based on weakly independent sets and partial spreads, which are optimal with respect to our newly obtained bound. In particular, for locality $r\in \{2,3\}$ and minimum distance $d = 6$, we obtain the desired optimal binary linear LRCs with disjoint repair groups for almost all parameters.
Wavefront modulation by complex amplitude in holographic display

Complex amplitude modulation is an important technology to control the wavefront arbitrary, which is widely used in many optics field. It is reviewed in this paper, and the basic principles are introduced and the features of the methods are discussed. Though there are still some disadvantages in these modulation methods, because of offering the more flexibilities, it is believed that complex amplitude modulation plays more significant role in optics.
Yield, Quality, and Water and Nitrogen Use of Durum and Annual Forages in Two-Year Rotations

Annual spring-seeded forage crops use less water than cereal grains, including durum (Triticum turgidum L. var. durum), and may be suitable to replace summer fallow. We conducted an experiment from 2002 through 2006 comparing yield, quality, and water and N use of durum and three annual forages, barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), barley interseeded with pea [Pisum sativum L. ssp. arvense (L.) Poir. ], and foxtail millet [Setaria italica (L.) Beauv. ] in 2-yr rotations. Durum in rotation with summer fallow and alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) were included. Averaged over 5 yr, alfalfa had higher forage yield and quality, water use, and N accumulation compared to annual forages. Annual forages had similar preplant and postharvest soil water contents, but barley and barley–pea had higher yields and water use compared to millet. Barley–pea intercrop had superior forage crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fi ber (NDF) and N accumulation compared to barley and millet, but acid detergent fi ber (ADF) and nitrogen recovery index (NRI) were similar among annual forages. Averaged over 4 yr, preplant soil water and residual N content were greater for durum following fallow than for durum following annual forages, resulting in reduced fertilizer N requirement and greater yield, water use, grain N accumulation and NRI following fallow. Replacing summer fallow with annual forages reduced durum grain yield by 727 kg ha −1 but provided forage yield of 4.9 Mg ha −1 . Annualized net returns in annual forage-durum systems were $127 ha −1 , $77 and $34 ha −1 greater than for fallowdurum and alfalfa, respectively. Replacing summer fallow with annual forages reduced durum yield but improved profi tability.
Service Quality Transformation and Its Impact on Customer Satisfaction and Loyalty in Malaysian Retail Banking Sector

This paper investigates the importance of antecedents of customer loyalty such as customer satisfaction and service quality dimensions. It addresses whether the dimensions of service quality impacts customer satisfaction eventually leading to customer loyalty. The Structural Equation modeling technique was used in this analysis to determine customer satisfaction and customer loyalty. The results suggest that empathy and assurance are the key factors in delivering customer satisfaction, whereas, tangibility, reliability and responsiveness are found to least impacting customer satisfaction. The relationship between customer satisfaction and customer loyalty is also found to be very significant. Therefore, the bank managers should focus their resources on improving customer care and assuring the services provided to the bank customers will eventually create customer loyalty towards their banks.
Fresh Waters and Fish Diversity: Distribution, Protection and Disturbance in Tropical Australia

Background Given the globally poor protection of fresh waters for their intrinsic ecological values, assessments are needed to determine how well fresh waters and supported fish species are incidentally protected within existing terrestrial protected-area networks, and to identify their vulnerability to human-induced disturbances. To date, gaps in data have severely constrained any attempt to explore the representation of fresh waters in tropical regions. Methodology and Results We determined the distribution of fresh waters and fish diversity in the Wet Tropics of Queensland, Australia. We then used distribution data of fresh waters, fish species, human-induced disturbances, and the terrestrial protected-area network to assess the effectiveness of terrestrial protected areas for fresh waters and fish species. We also identified human-induced disturbances likely to influence the effectiveness of freshwater protection and evaluated the vulnerability of fresh waters to these disturbances within and outside protected areas. The representation of fresh waters and fish species in the protected areas of the Wet Tropics is poor: 83% of stream types defined by order, 75% of wetland types, and 89% of fish species have less than 20% of their total Wet Tropics length, area or distribution completely within IUCN category II protected areas. Numerous disturbances affect fresh waters both within and outside of protected areas despite the high level of protection afforded to terrestrial areas in the Wet Tropics (>60% of the region). High-order streams and associated wetlands are influenced by the greatest number of human-induced disturbances and are also the least protected. Thirty-two percent of stream length upstream of protected areas has at least one human-induced disturbance present. Conclusions/Significance We demonstrate the need for greater consideration of explicit protection and off-reserve management for fresh waters and supported biodiversity by showing that, even in a region where terrestrial protection is high, it does not adequately capture fresh waters.
The expression of insulin-like growth factor 1 in follicular dermal papillae correlates with therapeutic efficacy of finasteride in androgenetic alopecia.

BACKGROUND It is generally believed that dihydrotestosterone is one of the pivotal mediators of hair loss in androgenetic alopecia (AGA). Finasteride, which blocks the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone, has now become an integral part of the current treatment approaches for male AGA. Several lines of evidence support the notion that dermal papilla (DP) cells represent the androgen target within the hair follicle. The specific molecular regulators modulated by androgens within hair follicles in the balding scalp are unknown. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to identify and quantify changes in expression of specific molecular hair growth regulators in DP of men with AGA treated with finasteride and correlate these findings to clinical efficacy. METHODS Biopsy specimens were collected from 9 male patients from both the balding area and nonbalding occipital area before and after 4 months of finasteride therapy. DP were microdissected and total RNA was extracted from an equal number of DP from each biopsy specimen. The expression of various cytokines, including insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1, was determined by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. The signals were detected by autoradiography. All 9 patients were given finasteride for 1 year and evaluated for efficacy at month 12. Efficacy was graded on a 7-point scale on the basis of comparison with initial baseline photography. RESULTS IGF-1 was up-regulated by finasteride treatment in 4 of 9 patients. Among the patients with increased IGF-1 expression, 3 of them showed moderate clinical improvement after 12 months of treatment and another patient remained unchanged. In contrast, 3 patients with decreased IGF-1 expression in the balding scalp showed clinical worsening after 12 months. The other 2 patients without noticeable change in IGF-1 expression showed either slight improvement or no change in their hair condition. CONCLUSION In a small uncontrolled study of 9 patients with AGA, an increased expression of IGF-1 messenger RNA levels in the DP was associated with patient response to finasteride.
Equations for stochastic macromolecular mechanics of single proteins: Equilibrium fluctuations, transient kinetics, and nonequilibrium steady-state

A modeling framework for the internal conformational dynamics and external mechanical movement of single biological macromolecules in aqueous solution at constant temperature is developed. Both the internal dynamics and the external movement are stochastic; the former is represented by a master equation for a set of discrete states, and the latter is described by a continuous Smoluchowski equation. Combining these two equations into one yields a comprehensive theory for the Brownian dynamics and statistical thermodynamics of single macromolecules. This approach is shown to have wide applications. It is applied to protein−ligand dissociation under external force, unfolding of polyglobular proteins under extension, movement along linear tracks of motor proteins against load, and enzyme catalysis by single fluctuating proteins. As a generalization of the classic polymer theory, the dynamic equation is capable of characterizing a single macromolecule in aqueous solution, in probabilistic terms, (1) its thermo.
Stage‐specific effects of defined mixtures of polychlorinated biphenyls on in vitro development of rabbit preimplantation embryos

PCBs adversely affect various reproductive functions. Little is known about the embryo‐ toxic effects during the preimplantation period in mammals. In the present study the effects of various mixtures of highly purified PCB‐congeners on embryo morphology, blastocyst formation, embryo size and cell proliferation were investigated. For 24 hr, day 3 morulae and day 4 blastocysts were cultured in the presence/absence of coplanar congeners (PCB77, PCB126, and PCB169), non‐coplanar congeners (PCB28, PCB52, PCB101, PCB118, PCB138, PCB153, PCB180) or both mixtures in concentrations ranging from 0.3 ng/mL to 60 μg/mL total PCB. The main effects were (1) degeneration of all embryos at 60 μg/mL, (2) reduction of cell proliferation in day 4 embryos only by coplanar PCB; in day 3 embryos, however, by all PCB‐mixtures, and (3) reduction of cell proliferation in a non‐linear dose response with the strongest impairment caused by the lowest concentration. Cell proliferation was decreased by 0.3 ng/mL coplanar PCB to 50% of the level in control blastocysts. Our results show that purified PCB congeners in the range of 0.3 ng/mL to 30 μg/mL affect the development of preimplantation embryos in a stage‐specific and congener‐specific manner. This study provides first evidence for an embryotoxic potential of coplanar PCB congeners. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 54:126–134, 1999. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Recurrence of Lattice Corneal Dystrophy Caused by Incomplete Removal of Stroma After Deep Lamellar Keratoplasty

Purpose: To report clinical and histopathological characteristics of postoperative amyloidosis recurrence in a patient with lattice corneal dystrophy (LCD) type I. Methods: The clinical manifestation of recurrent amyloidosis in the residual stroma was delineated in a patient with LCD type I after deep lamellar keratoplasty (DLKP) for 6.5 years. Complete removal of the residual recipient stroma and regrafting of a new cryopreserved donor button were accomplished by a secondary DLKP. The primary DLKP donor graft and the underlying residual stroma of the recipient obtained by the secondary DLKP were examined for analysis of histopathologic and ultrastructural changes. Results: A tongue-shaped retained stroma with linear opacity was observed underneath the primary DLKP donor graft. The retained stromal layer was thoroughly detached from Descemet membrane, removed, and followed by grafting a new cryopreserved button. The primary donor button exhibited a normal epithelium, fewer keratocytes, an intact Descemet membrane, and mild positive Congo red staining in the middle layer of the stroma. The total retained recipient stroma removed by the secondary DLKP measured approximately 20 μm in thickness, showing thick and massive amyloid accumulation. The surface of the removed residual stroma toward Descemet membrane showed collagen fibers in an interwoven fashion without bundle structure under a scanning electron microscope. Conclusion: Incomplete removal of the recipient stroma by DLKP can lead to the recurrence of amyloidosis in the residual stroma in patients with LCD. Clinical and histologic findings in the primary graft and in the residual recipient stroma implicate stromal genesis of recurrence of LCD after DLKP.
Weighted learning of bidirectional associative memories by global minimization

A weighted learning algorithm for bidirectional associative memories (BAMs) by means of global minimization, where each desired pattern is weighted, is described. According to the cost function that measures the goodness of the BAM, the learning algorithm is formulated as a global minimization problem and solved by a gradient descent rule. The learning approach guarantees not only that each desired pattern is stored as a stable state, but also that the basin of attraction is constructed as large as possible around each desired pattern. The existence of the weights, the asymptotic stability of each desired pattern and its basin of attraction, and the convergence of the proposed learning algorithm are investigated in an analytic way. A large number of computer experiments are reported to demonstrate the efficiency of the learning rule.
TRPV4 as a target for bladder overactivity

Several papers published in the last 2-3 years suggest that transient receptor potential vanilloid 4 (TRPV4) channels are candidates as mechanosensors in the urinary bladder (including human) and indicate that modulation (inhibition) of these channels could represent a novel therapy for overactive bladder and storage dysfunction. The effects of only agonists on the bladder have been described up to now, although some compounds endowed with antagonistic activity were reported in the last year. Therefore, it is to be hoped that the effects of these compounds in different models of bladder overactivity will be evaluated.
Body temperature during low tide alters the feeding performance of a top intertidal predator

Although the direct effects of climate change on species distribution and abundance have become increasingly apparent, considerably less is known about the potential for thermal variations to influence community structure indirectly through altered species interactions. We examined how the low tide body temperature of the rocky intertidal sea star Pisaster ochraceus affected the rate at which this keystone species fed on the mussel Mytilus californianus. Patterns of intertidal distribution and sea star body temperatures were recorded in the field at Bodega Bay, California, in 2006 and 2007. Under controlled laboratory conditions, we separately examined the roles of short‐term (acute) and long‐term (chronic) exposures to high aerial body temperatures in driving patterns of feeding and growth. Upper limits to thermal tolerance were also quantified in the laboratory. Integrating field data on the vertical distribution, microhabitat, and body temperature of sea stars indicated that individuals typically experienced relatively high body temperatures over a series of short periods of time (acute exposures of a few days) and that they escaped from situations where they would have experienced such temperatures for longer periods (chronic exposure). Although sea stars never approached their upper thermal limit (35°C), laboratory trials demonstrated that chronic exposure to realistic peak aerial body temperatures (≥23°C) negatively affected both feeding and growth rates, whereas acute exposure had positive consequences on feeding rates but no effects on growth. Variations in aerial body temperature, and more specifically the frequency of exposure to high body temperatures, can influence interaction strength in this important predator‐prey system.
The Roles of Ozone and Zeolite on Reactive Dye Degradation in Electrical Discharge Reactors

In this study high voltage pulsed corona electrical discharge advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) were applied to bleach and degrade C.I. Reactive Green 8 and C.I. Reactive Red 45 organic dyes in water solutions. Two types of hybrid gas/liquid high voltage electrical discharge (corona) reactors, known as hybrid series and hybrid parallel were studied. The difference between these reactors relates to electrode configuration, which affects the amounts of ozone, hydrogen peroxide and hydroxyl radicals produced. Experiments were conducted using dye concentrations of 20 mgl−1 and 75 mgl−1, with and without NH4ZSM5 zeolite addition in order to determine possible effects of added solid particles to total process efficiency. The role of ozone in combination with zeolites was assessed through comparative direct ozonation experiments with ozone supplied by an ozone generator. UV/VIS spectrophotometric measurements and measurements of total organic carbon (TOC) were used for the determination of decolorization and mineralization rates.
Molecular Dynamics Simulation Studies of GLUT4: Substrate-Free and Substrate-Induced Dynamics and ATP-Mediated Glucose Transport Inhibition

Background Glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) is an insulin facilitated glucose transporter that plays an important role in maintaining blood glucose homeostasis. GLUT4 is sequestered into intracellular vesicles in unstimulated cells and translocated to the plasma membrane by various stimuli. Understanding the structural details of GLUT4 will provide insights into the mechanism of glucose transport and its regulation. To date, a crystal structure for GLUT4 is not available. However, earlier work from our laboratory proposed a well validated homology model for GLUT4 based on the experimental data available on GLUT1 and the crystal structure data obtained from the glycerol 3-phosphate transporter. Methodology/Principal Findings In the present study, the dynamic behavior of GLUT4 in a membrane environment was analyzed using three forms of GLUT4 (apo, substrate and ATP-substrate bound states). Apo form simulation analysis revealed an extracellular open conformation of GLUT4 in the membrane favoring easy exofacial binding of substrate. Simulation studies with the substrate bound form proposed a stable state of GLUT4 with glucose, which can be a substrate-occluded state of the transporter. Principal component analysis suggested a clockwise movement for the domains in the apo form, whereas ATP substrate-bound form induced an anti-clockwise rotation. Simulation studies suggested distinct conformational changes for the GLUT4 domains in the ATP substrate-bound form and favor a constricted behavior for the transport channel. Various inter-domain hydrogen bonds and switching of a salt-bridge network from E345-R350-E409 to E345-R169-E409 contributed to this ATP-mediated channel constriction favoring substrate occlusion and prevention of its release into cytoplasm. These data are consistent with the biochemical studies, suggesting an inhibitory role for ATP in GLUT-mediated glucose transport. Conclusions/Significance In the absence of a crystal structure for any glucose transporter, this study provides mechanistic details of the conformational changes in GLUT4 induced by substrate and its regulator.
DNA Sequence Heterogeneity of Campylobacter jejuni CJIE4 Prophages and Expression of Prophage Genes

Campylobacter jejuni carry temperate bacteriophages that can affect the biology or virulence of the host bacterium. Known effects include genomic rearrangements and resistance to DNA transformation. C. jejuni prophage CJIE1 shows sequence variability and variability in the content of morons. Homologs of the CJIE1 prophage enhance both adherence and invasion to cells in culture and increase the expression of a specific subset of bacterial genes. Other C. jejuni temperate phages have so far not been well characterized. In this study we describe investigations into the DNA sequence variability and protein expression in a second prophage, CJIE4. CJIE4 sequences were obtained de novo from DNA sequencing of five C. jejuni isolates, as well as from whole genome sequences submitted to GenBank by other research groups. These CJIE4 DNA sequences were heterogenous, with several different insertions/deletions (indels) in different parts of the prophage genome. Two variants of a 3–4 kb region inserted within CJIE4 had different gene content that distinguished two major conserved CJIE4 prophage families. Additional indels were detected throughout the prophage. Detection of proteins in the five isolates characterized in our laboratory in isobaric Tags for Relative and Absolute Quantitation (iTRAQ) experiments indicated that prophage proteins within each of the two large indel variants were expressed during growth of the bacteria on Mueller Hinton agar plates. These proteins included the extracellular DNase associated with resistance to DNA transformation and prophage repressor proteins. Other proteins associated with known or suspected roles in prophage biology were also expressed from CJIE4, including capsid protein, the phage integrase, and MazF, a type II toxin-antitoxin system protein. Together with the results previously obtained for the CJIE1 prophage these results demonstrate that sequence variability and expression of moron genes are both general properties of temperate bacteriophages in C. jejuni.