Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Thumb Motor Performance Varies by Movement Orientation, Direction, and Device Size During Single-Handed Mobile Phone Use

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine if thumb motor performance metrics varied by movement orientation, direction, and device size during single-handed use of a mobile phone device. Background: With the increased use of mobile phones, understanding how design factors affect and improve performance can provide better design guidelines. Method: A repeated measures laboratory experiment of 20 right-handed participants measured the thumb tip’s 3-D position relative to a phone during reciprocal tapping tasks across four phone designs and four thumb tip movement orientations. Each movement orientation included two movement directions: an “outward” direction consisting in CMC (carpometacarpal) joint flexion or abduction movements and an “inward” direction consisting in CMC joint extension or adduction movements. Calculated metrics of the thumb’s motor performance were Fitts’ effective width and index of performance. Results: Index of performance varied significantly across phones, with performance being generally better for the smaller devices. Performance was also significantly higher for adduction–abduction movement orientations compared to flexion–extension, and for “outward” compared to “inward” movement directions. Conclusion: For single-handed device use, adduction–abduction-type movements on smaller phones lead to better thumb performance. Application: The results from this study can be used to design new mobile phone devices and keypad interfaces that optimize specific thumb motions to improve the user-interface experience during single-handed use.
D1398G Variant of MET Is Associated with Impaired Signaling of Hepatocyte Growth Factor in Alveolar Epithelial Cells and Lung Fibroblasts

Pulmonary fibrosis represents the terminal stage of a diverse group of lung diseases including scleroderma associated interstitial lung disease. The molecular mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of lung fibrosis are not well understood and there is a great need for more effective treatment for this lethal disease. We recently discovered a small fragment of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) receptor MET as a peptide designated “M10,” with strong antifibrotic properties. Furthermore, we showed that aspartic acid at position 1398 of MET is essential for M10 generation. The current study was undertaken to investigate the D1398G variant of MET in which aspartic acid at position 1398 was mutated to glycine resulting in loss of M10. We demonstrate that lung fibroblasts, A549, and primary alveolar epithelial cells (AEC) expressing D1398G MET exhibit reduced auto-phosphorylation on tyrosine residues and reduced activation of Ras and MAPK. HGF treatment of scleroderma lung fibroblasts as well as HGF treatment of TGFβ-treated normal lung fibroblasts transfected with wild type MET is associated with decreased collagen, connective tissue growth factor (CTGF, CCN2) and smooth muscle α-actin (SMA). However, HGF has no such effects in cells transfected with MET D1398G. Cisplatin- and FasL-induced apoptosis is significantly reduced in AEC transfected with MET wild type, but not in AEC transfected with MET D1398G. We conclude that the D1398G variant of MET is associated with compromised phosphorylation and impaired HGF signaling in lung fibroblasts and AEC, two cell types implicated in the pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis associated with scleroderma. Ongoing studies will explore the frequency of this variant and its relationship to pulmonary outcomes in scleroderma patients.
A message system supporting fault tolerance

A simple and general design uses message-based communication to provide software tolerance of single-point hardware failures. By delivering all interprocess messages to inactive backups for both the sender and the destination, both backups are kept in a state in which they can take over for their primaries. An implementation for the Auragen 4000 series of M68000-based systems is described. The operating system, AurosTM, is a distributed version of UNIX*. Major goals have been transparency of fault tolerance and efficient execution in the absence of failure.
Science teaching : the role of history and philosophy of science

Science Teaching argues that science teaching and science teacher education can be improved if teachers know something of the history and philosophy of science and if these topics are included in the science curriculum. The history and philosophy of science have important roles in many of the theoretical issues that science educators need to address: what constitutes an appropriate science curriculum for all students; how science should be taught in traditional cultures; how scientific literacy can be promoted; and the conflict which can occur between science curriculum and deep-seated religious or cultural values and knowledge. Outlining the history of liberal approaches to the teaching of science, Michael Matthews elaborates contemporary curriculum developments that explicitly address questions about the nature and the history of science. He provides examples of classroom teaching and develops useful arguments on constructivism, multicultural science education and teacher education.
Real interest parity ( RIP ) over the 20 th century : New evidence based on confidence intervals for the dominant root and half-lives of shocks ( Under submission )

In this paper, we have employed local-to-unity asymptotics and data dating back to the first quarter of the 20 century to examine the empirical validity of real interest parity (RIP) for the UK, Japan and France relative to the US. The results are as follows. First, the evidence for the full-sample is favourable using two powerful unit root tests. Nevertheless, the half-life estimates provide parity support for the UK only; with the upper bound of the confidence interval for this measure of persistence being less than two years. This finding underscores the importance of supplementing the unit root test results with direct measures of persistence. Second, the persistence of deviations from parity appears to have been exaggerated by the inclusion of data for the non-market 1940s. Indeed, the omission of this period leads to a decrease in the estimates of the half-life and RIP support for both the UK and France. For Japan, the upper bound is too high to be consistent with price stickiness and a world that has experienced a significant reduction in capital controls. Finally, there is little variation in the persistence of deviations from parity across fixed and floating exchange rate regimes. This finding is in line with the nominal exchange rate neutrality proposition. JEL Classification: C22, F31, F36, E43.
Multi-System Dysregulation and Bone Strength : Findings from the Study of Midlife in the Unites States

1 Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center, VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Los Angeles, CA, United States. ; 2 Division of Geriatrics, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States. ; 3 Division of General Internal Medicine and Health Services Research, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States. ; 4 Osteoporosis Clinical Center and Research Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States.
Detailed Joint Region Analysis of the 7-Joint Ultrasound Score: Evaluation of an Arthritis Patient Cohort over One Year

Objective. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the 7-joint ultrasound (US7) score by detailed joint region analysis of an arthritis patient cohort. Methods. The US7 score examines the clinically most affected wrist, MCP and PIP II, III, MTP II, and V joints for synovitis, tenosynovitis/paratenonitis, and erosions. Forty-five patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) (84.4%) and spondyloarthritis with polyarticular peripheral arthritis (PsA 13.3%; AS 2.2%) with a median disease duration of 6.5 yrs (range 7.5 mths–47.6 yrs) were included and examined at baseline and 3, 6, and 12 months after starting or changing therapy (DMARD/biologic). In this study, detailed US7 score joint region analysis was firstly performed. Results. The joint region analysis performed at baseline disclosed synovitis in 95.6% of affected wrists in the dorsal aspect by greyscale (GS) US where Grade 2 (moderate) was most often (48.9%) detected. Palmar wrist regions presented Grade 1 (minor) capsule elevation in 40% and Grade 2 (moderate synovitis) in 37.8%. Tenosynovitis of the extensor carpi ulnaris (ECU) tendon was found in 40%, with PD activity in 6.6%. Most of the erosions in MCP II were detected in the radial (68.9%), followed by the dorsal (48.9%) and palmar (44.4%) aspects. In MTP V, erosions were seen in 75.6% from lateral. Conclusions. Synovitis in GSUS was more often detected in the wrist in the dorsal than in the palmar aspect. ECU tendon involvement was frequent. Most erosions were found in the lateral scan of MTP V and the medial (radial) scan of MCP II.
Fission Yeast Sec3 Bridges the Exocyst Complex to the Actin Cytoskeleton

The exocyst complex tethers post‐Golgi secretory vesicles to the plasma membrane prior to docking and fusion. In this study, we identify Sec3, the missing component of the Schizosaccharomyces pombe exocyst complex (SpSec3). SpSec3 shares many properties with its orthologs, and its mutants are rescued by human Sec3/EXOC1. Although involved in exocytosis, SpSec3 does not appear to mark the site of exocyst complex assembly at the plasma membrane. It does, however, mark the sites of actin cytoskeleton recruitment and controls the organization of all three yeast actin structures: the actin cables, endocytic actin patches and actomyosin ring. Specifically, SpSec3 physically interacts with For3 and sec3 mutants have no actin cables as a result of a failure to polarize this nucleating formin. SpSec3 also interacts with actin patch components and sec3 mutants have depolarized actin patches of reduced endocytic capacity. Finally, the constriction and disassembly of the cytokinetic actomyosin ring is compromised in these sec3 mutant cells. We propose that a role of SpSec3 is to spatially couple actin machineries and their independently polarized regulators. As a consequence of its dual role in secretion and actin organization, Sec3 appears as a major co‐ordinator of cell morphology in fission yeast.
Influencing Factors to Results of the Urease Test: Age, Sampling Site, Histopathologic Findings, and Density of Helicobacter pylori

Purpose We investigated the positivity rate and the time period to the positive color change of the urease test in children and adults and assessed the correlation of the urease test to histopathologic findings. Methods From 1995 to 2000, endoscopic biopsies of the antrum and body were collected from 811 children and 224 adults and subjected to urease tests and histopathology. Results The positivity rate of the urease test was 49.4% for 0-4 years, 48.4% for 5-9 years, 47.3% for 10-15 years, and 62.5% for 20-29 years in the antrum. The positivity rate was 85.1% in 0-4 years, 82.3% in 5-9 years, 74.7% in 10-15 years, and 74.1% in 20-29 years for the body. In the antrum, the highest positivity rate was <1 hour for the group aged 10-29 years and 6-24 hours in the group <10 years old (p<0.0001). In the body, the highest positivity rate was <1 hour in adults and 6-24 hours in children (p<0.0001). The proportions of the positive reactions within 1 hour were similar for the antrum and the body. In the cases of more severe chronic gastritis, active gastritis, and Helicobacter pylori infiltration, a positive urease test reaction occurred more quickly (p<0.0001). Conclusion There were significant differences in urease tests according to age and sampling site. The discrepancy between the antrum and the body was greater in younger children. These results might be related to the low density and patchy distribution of bacteria in children and in the body.
Experimental Evidence on Unemployment Insurance Work-Search Policies

This paper describes findings from an experimental evaluation of alternative work-search policies in the Unemployment Insurance (UI) program. We find that the no work-search treatment significantly increased UI receipt, relative to the standard work-search approach, by 3.3 weeks and $265 per claimant, and that the treatment with the most intensive requirements reduced UI payments by one-half of a week or $70 per claimant. The results suggest that work-search requirements reduce UI spells by increasing the nonmonetary costs of remaining on UI, rather than enhancing job search abilities. We also find little treatment effects for wages, earnings, or total income, suggesting that an increase in the nonmonetary costs of continued UI receipt are associated with more intensive job search, rather than a reduction in the reservation wage.
Significance of group delay functions in signal reconstruction from spectral magnitude or phase

In this paper we discuss the problem of signal reconstruction from spectral magnitude or phase using group delay functions. We define two separate group delay functions for a signal, one is derived from the magnitude and the other from the phase of the Fourier transform of the signal. The group delay functions offer insight into the problem of signal reconstruction and suggest methods for reconstructing signals from partial information such as spectral magnitude or phase. We examine the problem of signal reconstruction from spectral magnitude or phase on the basis of these two group delay functions and derive the conditions for signal reconstruction. Based on existing iterative and noniterative algorithms for signal reconstruction, we propose new algorithms for some special classes of signals. The algorithms are illustrated with several examples. Our study shows that the relative importance of spectral magnitude and phase depends on the nature of signals. Speech signals are used to illustrate the importance of spectral magnitude and picture signals are used to illustrate the importance of phase in signal reconstruction problems. Using the group delay functions, we explain the convergence behavior of the existing iterative algorithms for signal reconstruction.
Treatment outcomes using CBT-IA with Internet-addicted patients

Background and aims: Internet Gaming Disorder, a subtype of Internet Addiction, is now classified in Section 3 of the DSM-5. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) has been suggested in treating Internet addiction as this modality has been shown to be an effective treatment for similar impulse control disorders. Given the daily and necessary use of the Internet and technology in general compared to other compulsive syndromes, a specialized form of CBT has been developed called Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Internet Addiction (CBT-IA). CBT-IA is a comprehensive three phase approach that includes behavior modification to control compulsive Internet use, cognitive restructuring to identify, challenge, and modify cognitive distortions that lead to addictive use, and harm reduction techniques to address and treat co-morbid issues associated with the disorder. Methods: As the first model of its kind, this study examines 128 clients to measure treatment outcomes using CBT-IA. Clients were evaluated using the Internet Addiction Test (IAT) to classify subjects and were administered twelve weekly sessions of CBT-IA. Treatment outcomes were measured at the end of the twelve weeks, one-month, three months and at six month post-treatment. Results: Results showed that over 95% of clients were able to manage symptoms at the end of the twelve weeks and 78% sustained recovery six months following treatment. Discussion and Conclusions: Results found that CBT-IA was effective at ameliorating symptoms associated with Internet addiction after twelve weekly sessions and consistently over one-month, three months, and six months after therapy. Further research implications such as investigating long-term outcome effects of the model with larger client populations and treatment differences among the subtypes of Internet addiction or with other cultural populations using CBT-IA are discussed.
The Quotation Behavior of Ecns and NASDAQ Market Makers

We examine the impact of three Nasdaq rule changes on some aspects of market quality. In particular we investigate the quotation behavior of market makers following the reduction in tick size from eighths to sixteenths on June 2, 1997; the direct impact of including electronic communication network (ECN) quotes in the calculation of inside Nasdaq quotes; and the efficacy of the Actual Size Rule (ASR) during a time of market stress. We find that following the tick size reduction Nasdaq market makers again appear to be avoiding odd ticks (now odd sixteenths), but traders entering orders on ECNs appear to be more likely to use all ticks. We also find that ECNs establish the "inside market" and hence reduce trading costs for the public about 19% of the time. Finally, our findings suggest that the ASR led to a significant reduction in bid liquidity during the sharp market downturn of October 27-28, 1997. From a regulatory perspective, the results of our study suggest that while some of the market reforms have improved market quality, there are still major impediments to quote price competition and certain changes may have reduced liquidity. The nature of the data used in this study allows us to test three competing hypotheses for odd tick avoidance: natural "clustering" behavior; preferencing of order flow; and "tacit conspiracy" among oligopolistic market makers. We find no support for the natural clustering hypothesis and some inconsistencies with the preferencing hypothesis. Our findings are generally consistent with the tacit collusion hypothesis.
More than just synaptic building blocks: scaffolding proteins of the post‐synaptic density regulate dendritic patterning

The dendritic arbor is responsible for receiving and consolidating neuronal input. Outgrowth and morphogenesis of the arbor are complex stages of development that are poorly understood. However, recent findings have identified synaptic scaffolding proteins as novel regulators of these important events. Scaffolding proteins are enriched in the post‐synaptic density where they bind and bring into close proximity neurotransmitter receptors, signaling molecules, and regulators of the actin cytoskeleton. This property is important for dendritic spine morphogenesis and maintenance in the mature neuron. Scaffolding proteins are now being described as key regulators of neurite outgrowth, dendritic development, and pattern formation in immature neurons. These proteins, which include post‐synaptic‐95, Shank and Densin‐180, as well as many of their interacting partners, appear to regulate both the microtubule and actin cytoskeleton to influence dendrite morphology. Through a large array of protein–protein interaction domains, scaffolding proteins are able to form large macromolecular complexes that include cytoskeletal motor proteins as well as microtubule and actin regulatory molecules. Together, the new findings form a persuasive argument that scaffolding proteins deliver critical regulatory elements to sites of dendritic outgrowth and branching to modulate the formation and maintenance of the dendritic arbor.
Which Socio-Ecological Factors Associate with a Switch to or Maintenance of Active and Passive Transport during the Transition from Primary to Secondary School?

Objectives The aim was to investigate which individual, psychosocial and physical neighborhood environmental factors associate with children’s switch to or maintenance of active/passive transport to school and to leisure time destinations during the transition from primary to secondary school. Methods Children (n = 313) filled out a questionnaire in the last year of primary school and 2 years later to assess socio-demographic characteristics and self-reported transport. One of their parents completed a questionnaire to assess parental perceptions of psychosocial and physical neighborhood environmental factors. Results The increase of the home-school distance was significantly associated with children’s switch to or maintenance of passive transport to school compared to a switch to (OR = 0.81; p = 0.03) and maintenance (OR = 0.87; p = 0.03) of active transport to school. Low SES was associated with children’s switch to active transport to school compared to maintenance of active transport (OR = 3.67; p = 0.07). For transport to leisure time destinations, other factors such as parental perceived neighborhood safety from traffic and crime (OR = 2.78; p = 0.004), a positive social norm (OR = 1.49; p = 0.08), positive attitudes (OR = 1.39; p = 0.08) (i.e. more benefits, less barriers) towards their children’s physical activity and poor walking/cycling facilities in the neighborhood (OR = 0.70; p = 0.06) were associated with children’s maintenance of active transport to leisure time destinations compared to a switch to or maintenance of passive transport. Conclusions This longitudinal study can give directions for interventions promoting children’s active transport during the transition to secondary school. It is necessary to promote different possibilities at primary school for children to use active transport when going to secondary school. Walking/cycling a part of the home-school trip can be a possible solution for children who will be living at non-feasible distances from secondary school. Providing safe neighborhoods, combined with programs for parents stimulating a positive social norm and positive attitudes towards physical activity during primary school, can be effective.
Diurnal Variations in Neural Activity of Healthy Human Brain Decoded with Resting-State Blood Oxygen Level Dependent fMRI

It remains an ongoing investigation about how the neural activity alters with the diurnal rhythms in human brain. Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (RS-fMRI) reflects spontaneous activities and/or the endogenous neurophysiological process of the human brain. In the present study, we applied the ReHo (regional homogeneity) and ALFF (amplitude of low frequency fluctuation) based on RS-fMRI to explore the regional differences in the spontaneous cerebral activities throughout the entire brain between the morning and evening sessions within a 24-h time cycle. Wide spread brain areas were found to exhibit diurnal variations, which may be attributed to the internal molecular systems regulated by clock genes, and the environmental factors including light-dark cycle, daily activities and homeostatic sleep drive. Notably, the diurnal variation of default mode network (DMN) suggests that there is an adaptation or compensation response within the subregions of DMN, implying a balance or a decoupling of regulation between these regions.
An Updated ERP Systems Annotated Bibliography: 2001-2005

This study provides an updated annotated bibliography of ERP publications published in the main IS conferences and journals during the period 2001-2005, categorizing them through an ERP lifecycle-based framework that is structured in phases. The first version of this bibliography was published in 2001 (Esteves and Pastor, 2001c). However, so far, we have extended the bibliography with a significant number of new publications in all the categories used in this paper. We also reviewed the categories and some incongruities were eliminated.