Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Coexistence Issues of 2.4GHz Sensor Networks with Other RF Devices at Home

The IEEE 802.15. 4 as one of the facto low layer communication standards for PANs and WSNs may be interfered by other wireless devices in the ISM frequency bands, especially at home, such as devices of IEEE 802.11b, Bluetooth, Cordless telephone, and microwave oven. This paper examines the mutual interference effects of 2.4 GHz devices which are widely deployed at home, via both theoretical analysis and real-life experiment. In the paper an analytical model is proposed to estimate the Packet Error Rate (PER), the collision probability and the active-rate of the interference networks. The model is verified through a series of experiments. The Experimental results also show that Bluetooth has little impact of interference on 802.15. 4 networks, whereas microwave oven and 802.11b wireless networks can cause problems to 802.15. 4; however the effects can be significantly reduced by a proper channel selection.
Multiple SCN5A variant enhancers modulate its cardiac gene expression and the QT interval

Significance Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) identify many sequence variants associated with a trait or disease, but only a minority of these variants are likely causal. These variants are mostly noncoding, implying that variation in cis-regulatory elements (CREs) controlling gene expression is their basis. However, owing to background associations (linkage disequilibrium) between variants, identifying the causal variants that disrupt CRE function and influence gene expression is challenging. In this study, we advance an approach to dissect the multiple causal variants and CREs that influence cardiac expression of SCN5A and explain the electrocardiographic QT interval (trait) GWAS signal on chromosome 3p22.2. The rationale for genome-wide association study (GWAS) results is sequence variation in cis-regulatory elements (CREs) modulating a target gene’s expression as the major cause of trait variation. To understand the complete molecular landscape of one of these GWAS loci, we performed in vitro reporter screens in cardiomyocyte cell lines for CREs overlapping nearly all common variants associated with any of five independent QT interval (QTi)-associated GWAS hits at the SCN5A-SCN10A locus. We identified 13 causal CRE variants using allelic reporter activity, cardiomyocyte nuclear extract-based binding assays, overlap with human cardiac tissue DNaseI hypersensitive regions, and predicted impact of sequence variants on DNaseI sensitivity. Our analyses identified at least one high-confidence causal CRE variant for each of the five sentinel hits that could collectively predict SCN5A cardiac gene expression and QTi association. Although all 13 variants could explain SCN5A gene expression, the highest statistical significance was obtained with seven variants (inclusive of the five above). Thus, multiple, causal, mutually associated CRE variants can underlie GWAS signals.
The Role of Information and Communication Technology in End-of-Life Planning Among a Sample of Canadian LGBT Older Adults

To better understand the role of technology in later-life planning among older lesbian, gay, bisexual, and trans (LGBT) adults, we conducted focus groups to explore factors linked to diverse sexual orientations and gender identities. Twenty focus groups were facilitated across Canada with 93 participants aged 55 to 89. Constant comparative analysis yielded four categories: (a) fear, (b) individual benefits, (d) social elements, and (d) contextual elements. Fear related to technology and fear of end-of-life planning. Individual benefits referred to technology as a platform for developing LGBT identities and as a source of information for later-life planning. Social elements were establishment and maintenance of personal relationships and social support networks. Contextual elements referred to physical and situational barriers to technology use that limited access and usability. These findings can inform technological practice and services to enhance later-life planning.
Letter to the Editor: On the need of considering cardiorespiratory fitness when examining the influence of sex on dynamic cerebral autoregulation.

We the recent article by Favre and Serrador (2). We would like to commend these authors on their thorough study, which reported dynamic cerebral autoregulation is minimally affected by hormonal changes across the menstrual cycle. However, they also noted differences in women in dynamic cerebral autoregulation compared with men (2). These authors used multiple metrics to assess dynamic cerebral autoregulation, including the sit-to-stand technique and transfer function analysis (TFA) via spontaneous and forced blood pressure oscillations induced by repeated squat-stands. While a similar autoregulation index was reported during sit-to-stand tests between sexes, there were noted differences in TFA metrics of the forced blood pressure oscillations as autoregulation indexes were improved in women.Surprisingly, we have recently published contrasting ﬁndings in young and healthy men and women with comparable character-istics (4). We observed a similar reduction in coherence, although it was associated with a delayed regulatory response onset after a sit-to-stand test and higher TFA gain during repeated 0.05-Hz squat-stands in women, indicating a diminished dynamic cerebral autoregulation. How do we reconcile these seemingly divergent observations in what appear as similar participants? We propose that cardiorespiratory ﬁtness may be the missing link.
Measurement and Prediction of Lubrication, Powder Consumption, and Oscillation Mark Profiles in Ultra-low Carbon Steel Slabs

The flow of melted mold powder into the interfacial gap between the strand and the mold wall is important for productivity and quality in continuous cast slabs. Some of the mold slag (flux) consumption provides true lubrication, while much of the rest is trapped in the oscillation marks on the slab surface. This work presents measurements of powder consumption from extensive careful plant trials on ultra-low carbon steels, and a new, simple, semi-empirical model to predict slag consumption. The model predicts “lubrication consumption” by deducting the slag carried in the oscillation marks from the measured total. The oscillation mark shape is estimated from a theoretical analysis of equilibrium meniscus shape, which is based on metallographic analysis of many hook and oscillation mark shapes. The model demonstrates that the fraction consumed in the oscillation marks decreases with increasing casting speed, because the oscillation mark depth depends more on casting speed than on mold oscillation conditions. The model is validated by successful prediction of known trends of oscillation mark depth and mold powder consumption with changing various operation parameters. The model provides new insight into mold lubrication phenomena, which is important for extending casting operation to higher speeds and new lubrication regimes.
Do our risk preferences change when we make decisions for others? A meta-analysis of self-other differences in decisions involving risk

Background Are we more risk-averse or risk-seeking when we make decisions on behalf of other people as opposed to ourselves? So far, findings have not been able to provide a clear and consistent answer. Method We propose a meta-analysis to assess whether self-other differences vary according to particular features of the decision. We reviewed 78 effect sizes from 49 studies (7,576 participants). Results There was no overall self-other difference, but there were moderating effects of domain and frame. Decisions in the interpersonal domain were more risk-averse for self than for other. Decisions in the medical domain were more risk-seeking for self than for other. There were no overall self-other differences in the financial domain, however there was a moderating effect of frame: decisions in a gain frame were more risk-averse for self than other whereas decisions in a loss frame were more risk-seeking for self than other. This effect of frame was slightly different overall and in the medical domain, where self-other differences occurred in a loss frame but not in a gain frame. Conclusion Future work should continue to investigate how the specific content and context of the decision impacts self-other differences in order to understand the effects of domain and frame we report.
Stabilization of discrete-time switched linear singular systems via a stochastic approach

A stochastic stabilization problem for a class of discrete-time switched linear s ingular system is considered in this paper. By using the Bernoulli variable, a kind of stochastic controller is developed, w hich ensures the discrete-time switched linear singular system stochastically stable. Based on a linear matrix inequality technology, a suffic ient existence condition for such new controller is proposed, which bridges the gain-scheduled and gain-common controller design methods. Finally, an example is provided to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach.
Interaction of a Ti–Cu Alloy with Carbon: Synthesis of Composites and Model Experiments

Titanium carbide (TiC), is the most thermodynamically stable compound in the Ti–C–Cu system, which makes it a suitable reinforcement phase for copper matrix composites. In this work, the interaction of a Ti–Cu alloy with different forms of carbon was investigated to trace the structural evolution leading to the formation of in-situ TiC–Cu composite structures. The reaction mixtures were prepared from Ti25Cu75 alloy ribbons and carbon black or nanodiamonds to test the possibilities of obtaining fine particles of TiC using ball milling and Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS). It was found that the behavior of the reaction mixtures during ball milling depends on the nature of the carbon source. Model experiments were conducted to observe the outcomes of the diffusion processes at the alloy/carbon interface. It was found that titanium atoms diffuse to the alloy/graphite interface and react with carbon forming a titanium carbide layer, but carbon does not diffuse into the alloy. The diffusion experiments as well as the synthesis by ball milling and SPS indicated that the distribution of TiC particles in the composite structures obtained via reactive solid-state processing of Ti25Cu75+C follows the distribution of carbon particles in the reaction mixtures. This justifies the use of carbon sources that have fine particles to prepare the reaction mixtures as well as efficient dispersion of the carbon component in the alloy–carbon mixture when the goal is to synthesize fine particles of TiC in the copper matrix.
Running head : IMPLICIT TRAINING OF NONNATIVE SPEECH 1 Implicit Training of Nonnative Speech Stimuli

Learning nonnative speech contrasts in adulthood has proven difficult. Standard training methods have achieved moderate effects using explicit instructions and performance feedback. In this study, we question preexisting assumptions by demonstrating a superiority of implicit training procedures. We trained three groups of Greek adults on a difficult Hindi contrast (a) explicitly, with feedback (Experiment 1), or (b) implicitly, unaware of the phoneme distinctions, with (Experiment 2) or without (Experiment 3) feedback. Stimuli were natural recordings of consonant-vowel syllables with retroflex and dental unvoiced stops by a native Hindi speaker. On each trial, participants heard pairs of tokens from both categories and had to identify the retroflex sounds (explicit condition) or the sounds differing in intensity (implicit condition). Unbeknownst to participants, in the implicit conditions, target sounds were always retroflex and distractor sounds were always dental. Post-training identification and discrimination tests showed improved performance of all groups compared to a baseline of untrained Greek listeners. Learning was most robust for implicit training without feedback. It remains to be investigated whether implicitly trained skills can generalize to linguistically relevant phonetic categories when appropriate variability is introduced. These findings challenge traditional accounts on the role of feedback in phonetic training and highlight the importance of implicit, reward-based mechanisms.
Evidence for age‐related deficits in object‐location binding during place recognition

Deciding whether a place is the same or different than places encountered previously is a common task in daily navigation which requires to develop knowledge about the locations of objects (object‐location binding) and to recognize places from different perspectives. These abilities rely on hippocampal functioning which is susceptible to increasing age. Thus, the question of the present study is how they both together impact on place recognition in aging. Forty people aged 20–29, 44 aged 60–69, and 32 aged 70–79 were presented with places consisting of four different objects during the encoding phase. In the test phase, they were then presented with a second place and had to decide whether it was the same or different. Test places were presented from different perspectives (0°, 30°, 60°) and with different object conditions (same, a swap of two objects, a substitution with a novel object). The sensitivity for detecting changes (d′) decreased from 20–29 to 60–69 and to 70–79 years old, and with increasing perspective shifts. Importantly, older adults were less sensitive to object swapping than to object substitution, while young participants did not show any difference. Overall, these results suggest specific age‐related difficulties in object‐location binding in the context of place recognition.
New Mexico Geological Society Stratigraphic and Structural Development of the Southern Winston Graben, Rio Grande Rift, Southwestern New Mexico Annual Nmgs Fall Field Conference Guidebooks Stratigraphic and Structural Development of the Southern Winston Graben, Rio Grande Rift, Southwestern New Mexi

Every fall since 1950, the New Mexico Geological Society (NMGS) has held an annual Fall Field Conference that explores some region of New Mexico (or surrounding states). Always well attended, these conferences provide a guidebook to participants. Besides detailed road logs, the guidebooks contain many well written, edited, and peer-reviewed geoscience papers. These books have set the national standard for geologic guidebooks and are an essential geologic reference for anyone working in or around New Mexico. Free Downloads NMGS has decided to make peer-reviewed papers from our Fall Field Conference guidebooks available for free download. Non-members will have access to guidebook papers two years after publication. Members have access to all papers. This is in keeping with our mission of promoting interest, research, and cooperation regarding geology in New Mexico. However, guidebook sales represent a significant proportion of our operating budget. Therefore, only research papers are available for download. Road logs, mini-papers, maps, stratigraphic charts, and other selected content are available only in the printed guidebooks. One printed copy of any materials from the NMGS website or our print and electronic publications may be made for individual use without our permission. Teachers and students may make unlimited copies for educational use. Any other use of these materials requires explicit permission. This page is intentionally left blank to maintain order of facing pages. 447 stratigraphic and structural development-winston graben new mexico geological society guidebook, 63 rd Field conference, sierra county, 2012, p. 447-456. AbstrAct—Recent field work near the southern terminus of the north-trending, late Oligocene to early Pliocene Winston graben (WG) provides details into the interrelated stratigraphic and structural development of the graben. A 5-10° angular unconformity between the 28.9 Ma Vicks Peak Tuff (Tvp) and the 29.4 Ma tuff of Little Mineral Creek (Tlmc) suggests exten-sional fault block tilting and graben development began circa 29 Ma. Overlying Tvp and Tlmc are interbedded conglomerates and tuffs, including one tentatively correlated to the 27.7 Ma South Canyon Tuff that are assigned to the lower Santa Fe Group (SFG). The irregular, erosive basal contact of the lower SFG suggests initial graben subsidence was minimal. Conformably overlying the tuff-bearing conglomerates is the widespread middle SFG unit consisting of a sandstone to mudstone fine-grained facies and a conglomeratic coarse facies. The distribution of facies and the directions of clast imbrications in this unit suggest derivation from both eastern and western highlands, and also suggest the …
MRGPRX4 is a G protein-coupled receptor activated by bile acids that may contribute to cholestatic pruritus

Significance Cholestatic itch is a debilitating symptom that affects hundreds of thousands of patients every year, drastically decreasing patient quality of life. Additional therapeutic targets are needed, as current therapies are ineffective for many patients. In recent years, the Mas-related G protein-coupled receptor (MRGPR) family of receptors has been linked to itch. Here, we determine that MRGPRX4 is specifically activated by numerous bile acids (BAs) up-regulated in cholestatic patient sera. To test the relevance of these findings in vivo, we generated humanized mice expressing MRGPRX4 in sensory neurons. MRGPRX4+ humanized mice display higher levels of itch in response to injection of BAs and in a mouse model of cholestasis, indicating that MRGPRX4 could play a role in cholestatic itch. Patients suffering from cholestasis, the slowing or stoppage of bile flow, commonly report experiencing an intense, chronic itch. Numerous pruritogens are up-regulated in cholestatic patient sera, including bile acids (BAs). Acute injection of BAs results in itch in both mice and humans, and BA-modulating therapy is effective in controlling patient itch. Here, we present evidence that human sensory neuron-expressed Mas-related G protein-coupled receptor X4 (MRGPRX4), an orphan member of the Mrgpr family of GPCRs, is a BA receptor. Using Ca2+ imaging, we determined that pathophysiologically relevant levels of numerous BAs activated MRGPRX4. No mouse Mrgpr orthologs were activated by BAs. To assess the in vivo relevance of BA activation of MRGPRX4, we generated a humanized mouse with targeted expression of MRGPRX4 in itch-encoding sensory neurons. BAs activated MRGPRX4+ sensory neurons at higher levels compared with WT neurons. Compared with control animals, MRGPRX4+ mice scratched more upon acute injection of BAs and in a model of cholestatic itch. Overall, these data suggest that targeting MRGPRX4 is a promising strategy for alleviating cholestatic itch.
Multicolored parallelisms of isomorphic spanning trees

1 Multicolored parallelisms in complete graphs Throughout this paper Ks denotes the complete graph on s vertices. We color the edges of K2n with 2n−1 colors by assigning one color to each edge. Basic terminology and notation on graph theory is found in Berge (1971). The coloration is proper if whenever two edges that have one vertex in common carry different colors. A spanning tree is called multicolored if no two of its edges have the same color. Two trees are edge disjoint if they do not share common edges. Two graphs with colored edges are isomorphic if there exists a bijection σ between the sets of vertices and a bijection η between the sets of colors such that (i, j) is an edge of color c if and only if (σ(i),σ( j)) is an edge of color η(c). We investigate the possibility of producing a proper edge-coloration of K2n such that its edges can be partitioned into edge disjoint isomorphic multicolored spanning trees. [By isomorphic multicolored spanning trees we understand a set of spanning trees, each of which is multicolored, any two spanning trees of the set being isomorphic as uncolored spanning trees. ] When this is possible to accomplish we obtain what we call a multicolored tree parallelism for K2n. When no coloring is involved, it is well-known, and a classical result of Euler, that the edges of K2n can be partitioned into isomorphic spanning trees (paths, for example). Each of these spanning trees can easily be made multicolored, but the resulting edge coloration of K2n usually fails to be proper. Indeed, there exists a proper coloration of K8 that does not admit a multicolored path; see Buliga (2002), [8]. By an inductive construction we demonstrate that a partition of the edges of Km into edge-disjoint isomorphic multicolored spanning trees that induce a proper coloration of Km is possible whenever m (> 4) is a power of two, or five times a power of two.
Short-term High Fructose Intake Reprograms the Transcriptional Clock Rhythm of the Murine Extraorbital Lacrimal Gland

Purpose To determine whether high fructose intake (HFI) influences the daily transcriptional clock rhythms of murine extraorbital lacrimal glands (ELGs). Methods Timed ELGs were collected from two groups of C57BL/6J mice subjected to a 12-hour light/12-hour dark (LD) cycle for 10 days; the first group received water-only feeding and the second received water with 15% fructose. Total RNA was extracted and subjected to RNA sequencing. A JTK_CYCLE algorithm and computational software were used to determine the periodicity, rhythmicity, and amplitude of the cycling transcripts. The rhythmic transcripts from different conditions were analyzed using the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) database. Results HFI feeding caused massive remodeling of the preexisting rhythmic genes in the normal control (NC)-fed ELGs. The induced transcripts in HFI-fed mice resulted in a profound reorganization of the coordinated transcriptional oscillations and KEGG pathways. Moreover, HFI feeding significantly altered the distribution of the KEGG pathways over an LD in the ELGs. Finally, we found that the ELGs have a robust core clock machinery and HFI feeding altered amplitude and the peak phase of clock gene transcriptional oscillation in ELGs. Conclusions Short-term HFI reprograms the daily transcriptomic oscillation of murine ELGs. This information may deepen our understanding of the outcomes of lacrimal glands altered by nutritional challenge.
Quadriceps function, proprioceptive acuity and functional performance in healthy young, middle-aged and elderly subjects.

BACKGROUND Muscle functions to generate force-producing movement and also has a role in proprioception. If ageing compromises these sensorimotor functions of muscle, the ability of older subjects to detect and correct postural sway may be impeded, resulting in impairment of functional performance. METHOD To see if age-related changes occurred and, if so, what their effects might be. Quadriceps strength, proprioception, postural stability and functional performance were assessed in young (n = 20, mean age 23 years), middle-aged (n = 10, mean age 56 years) and elderly (n = 15, mean age 72 years) subjects. RESULTS With increasing age there were decreases in quadriceps strength (r = -0.511; P < 0.001), acuity of joint position sense (r = -0.603; P < 0.001) and postural stability (ANOVA < 0.002) during stance conditions which placed a greater reliance on muscle proprioceptors. These changes may decrease postural stability confidence, resulting in impaired performance of common activities of daily living (r = 0.635; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS The age-related deterioration in sensorimotor function of muscle may contribute to the increased fear and frequency of falls in elderly subjects, thereby decreasing independence.