Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Proactive control of sequential saccades in the human supplementary eye field

Our ability to regulate behavior based on past experience has thus far been examined using single movements. However, natural behavior typically involves a sequence of movements. Here, we examined the effect of previous trial type on the concurrent planning of sequential saccades using a unique paradigm. The task consisted of two trial types: no-shift trials, which implicitly encouraged the concurrent preparation of the second saccade in a subsequent trial; and target-shift trials, which implicitly discouraged the same in the next trial. Using the intersaccadic interval as an index of concurrent planning, we found evidence for context-based preparation of sequential saccades. We also used functional MRI-guided, single-pulse, transcranial magnetic stimulation on human subjects to test the role of the supplementary eye field (SEF) in the proactive control of sequential eye movements. Results showed that (i) stimulating the SEF in the previous trial disrupted the previous trial type-based preparation of the second saccade in the nonstimulated current trial, (ii) stimulating the SEF in the current trial rectified the disruptive effect caused by stimulation in the previous trial, and (iii) stimulating the SEF facilitated the preparation of second saccades based on previous trial type even when the previous trial was not stimulated. Taken together, we show how the human SEF is causally involved in proactive preparation of sequential saccades.
Helicobacter pylori in children: Molecular characterization, antibiotic resistance and MLST typing of isolated strains in an Algerian hospital

Background: Helicobacter pylori infection is generally acquired in childhood. Algeria is a country with a high prevalence of H. pylori infection. The aim of this work was to take stock of H. pylori infection in Algerian children. Materials and Methods: About 31antral biopsies were cultured, and then antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed. The statuses of cagPAI and vacA s, m, I, and d regions were determined as well as geographical typing was done by Multi Locus Sequence Typing (MLST) method. Results: Culture was H. pylori positive in 12 children. Only one resistance to clarithromycin and one to metronidazole were detected. Four out of six strains possessed cagPAI, and five out of six strains were identified as vacA s2m2i2d2. The five strains tested by MLST were of the hpEurope type. Conclusion: This study revealed high prevalence of H. pylori infection and low resistance to antibiotics and reported for the first time in Algeria a genetic typing of H. pylori strains isolated from Pediatrics.
The role of epicardial adipose tissue in cardiac biology: classic concepts and emerging roles

Classic concepts about the role of epicardial adipose tissue (EpAT) in heart physiology include its role in cardiac metabolism, mechanical protection of coronaries, innervation and possibly cryoprotection of the heart too. Nevertheless, recent evidence has revealed that epicardial adipose tissue regulates multiple aspects of cardiac biology including myocardial redox state, intracellular Ca2+ cycling, the electrophysiological and contractile properties of cardiomyocytes, cardiac fibrosis as well as coronary atherosclerosis progression. Moreover, it is now understood that the communication between EpAT and the heart is regulated by complex bidirectional pathways, since not only do adipokines regulate cardiac function, but also the heart affects EpAT biology via paracrine ‘reverse’ signalling. Such complex interactions as well as epicardial fat accumulation as a consequence of cardiac disease and epicardium to adipocyte differentiation should be taken into account by the clinical studies investigating EpAT as a risk marker and its potential as a therapeutic target against cardiovascular disease. Further in‐depth exploration of the molecular mechanisms regulating the cross‐talk between the heart and EpAT is expected to enhance our understanding regarding the role of the latter in cardiac physiology and relevant disease mechanisms.
Endogenous superoxide is a key effector of the oxygen sensitivity of a model obligate anaerobe

Significance Microbes display profound differences in their tolerance for oxygen, and this trait organizes the structure of many microbial communities. However, the molecular basis of oxygen sensitivity is not well understood. In this study we determined that Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron, an abundant member of the human intestinal flora, is incapacitated by superoxide stress when it enters a fully oxic environment. The key difference from oxygen-tolerant bacteria lies not in its defensive systems, nor in the nature of the affected enzymes, but in the rate of endogenous oxidant formation. Anaerobes thrive in oxygen-poor environments because they deploy low-potential electron-transfer pathways; these results suggest that an ancillary effect is the reactivity of these pathways with oxygen, thereby generating enough reactive oxygen species to preclude oxic growth. It has been unclear whether superoxide and/or hydrogen peroxide play important roles in the phenomenon of obligate anaerobiosis. This question was explored using Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron, a major fermentative bacterium in the human gastrointestinal tract. Aeration inactivated two enzyme families—[4Fe-4S] dehydratases and nonredox mononuclear iron enzymes—whose homologs, in contrast, remain active in aerobic Escherichia coli. Inactivation-rate measurements of one such enzyme, B. thetaiotaomicron fumarase, showed that it is no more intrinsically sensitive to oxidants than is an E. coli fumarase. Indeed, when the E. coli enzymes were expressed in B. thetaiotaomicron, they no longer could tolerate aeration; conversely, the B. thetaiotaomicron enzymes maintained full activity when expressed in aerobic E. coli. Thus, the aerobic inactivation of the B. thetaiotaomicron enzymes is a feature of their intracellular environment rather than of the enzymes themselves. B. thetaiotaomicron possesses superoxide dismutase and peroxidases, and it can repair damaged enzymes. However, measurements confirmed that the rate of reactive oxygen species production inside aerated B. thetaiotaomicron is far higher than in E. coli. Analysis of the damaged enzymes recovered from aerated B. thetaiotaomicron suggested that they had been inactivated by superoxide rather than by hydrogen peroxide. Accordingly, overproduction of superoxide dismutase substantially protected the enzymes from aeration. We conclude that when this anaerobe encounters oxygen, its internal superoxide levels rise high enough to inactivate key catabolic and biosynthetic enzymes. Superoxide thus comprises a major element of the oxygen sensitivity of this anaerobe. The extent to which molecular oxygen exerts additional direct effects remains to be determined.
Acoustic propagation modeling indicates vocal compensation in noise improves communication range for North Atlantic right whales

Habitat loss is a leading driver of biodiversity loss (Millennium Ecosystem Assessment 2005). Over the past century, environmental noise from human activities has increased rapidly in intensity and scale, representing a drastic yet often overlooked form of habitat loss (Andrew et al. 2002, McDonald et al. 2006, Slabbekoorn & Ripmeester 2008, Hildebrand 2009, Barber et al. 2010). This noise is primarily a consequence of human transportation, recreation, and development (Slabbekoorn & Ripmeester 2008, Hildebrand 2009, Barber et al. 2010), and transcends protected area boundaries (Barber et al. 2011). The loss of acoustic habitat, i.e. the components of the environment that enable an organism to effectively send and receive signals, impairs species’ abilities to perceive sounds critical to survival, reproduction, population health and ecosystem integrity (e.g. Halfwerk et al. 2011, Francis et al. 2009, 2012, Tennessen et al. 2014; see reviews by Warren et al. 2006, Slabbekoorn & Ripmeester 2008, Barber et al. 2010,
Convolutional Neural Network with Particle Filter Approach for Visual Tracking

In this paper, we propose a compact Convolutional Neural Network (CNN)-based tracker in conjunction with a particle filter architecture, in which the CNN model operates as an accurate candidates estimator, while the particle filter predicts the target motion dynamics, lowering the overall number of calculations and refines the resulting target bounding box. Experiments were conducted on the Online Object Tracking Benchmark (OTB) [34] dataset and comparison analysis in respect to other state-of-art has been performed based on accuracy and precision, indicating that the proposed algorithm outperforms all state-of-the-art trackers included in the OTB dataset, specifically, TLD [16], MIL [1], SCM [36] and ASLA [15]. Also, a comprehensive speed performance analysis showed average frames per second (FPS) among the top-10 trackers from the OTB dataset [34].
A Nonlinear Finite Element Analysis of Multiple Delamination Propagation in Composite Laminates

Propagation process of multiple penny-shape interlaminar delaminations in circular axisymmetric nonlinear plates under a quasi-static transverse load, which is an idealized problem of damage accumulation in composite laminates due to low velocity impact loading, is numerically studied through a finite element analysis. A fracture element, which was proposed to simulate the crack propagation (Majima & Suemasu, 1999), is modified for elements with mid-node. The condition for crack propagation is also changed to make the convergence of the solution with element size smoother. Both failures related to strength and the fracture mechanical instability are possible to be considered by using the present element. The element is applied to a fundamental problem of fracture mechanics. The solution converges quickly with the decrease of element size and the results are consistent with the theoretically predicted solution. The sufficiently accurate solution is obtained even with the fairly rough element division. Then the element is used to simulate the propagation of multiple delaminations in a composite laminate, considering nonlinearity due to finite deflection. The early stages of the damage propagation depend on the initial delamination size. The finite element results are consistent with the failure process inferred from the energy release rate distribution theoretically obtained in the precedent study (Suemasu & Maiima. 1998).
Determinants of Persistence and Tolerance of Carnivores on Namibian Ranches: Implications for Conservation on Southern African Private Lands

Changing land use patterns in southern Africa have potential to dramatically alter the prospects for carnivore conservation. Understanding these influences is essential for conservation planning. We interviewed 250 ranchers in Namibia to assess human tolerance towards and the distribution of large carnivores. Cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus), leopards (Panthera pardus) and brown hyaenas (Hyaena brunnea) were widely distributed on Namibian farmlands, spotted hyaenas (Crocuta crocuta) had a narrower distribution, and wild dogs (Lycaon pictus) and lions (Panthera leo) are largely limited to areas near source populations. Farmers were most tolerant of leopards and least tolerant of lions, wild dogs and spotted hyaenas. Several factors relating to land use correlated consistently with carnivore-presence and landowner tolerance. Carnivores were more commonly present and/or tolerated where; wildlife diversity and biomass were higher; income from wildlife was higher; income from livestock was lower; livestock biomass was lower; in conservancies; game fencing was absent; and financial losses from livestock depredation were lower. Efforts to create conditions whereby the costs associated with carnivores are lowest, and which confer financial value to them are likely to be the most effective means of promoting carnivore conservation. Such conditions are achieved where land owners pool land to create conservancies where livestock are replaced with wildlife (or where livestock husbandry is improved) and where wildlife generates a significant proportion of ranch income. Additional measures, such as promoting improved livestock husbandry and educational outreach efforts may also help achieve coexistence with carnivores. Our findings provide insights into conditions more conducive to the persistence of and tolerance towards large carnivores might be increased on private (and even communal) lands in Namibia, elsewhere in southern and East Africa and other parts of the world where carnivore conservation is being attempted on private lands.
Modifying Gesture Elicitation: Do Kinaesthetic Priming and Increased Production Reduce Legacy Bias?

A common issue in gesture elicitation studies is that participants are influenced by interaction with digital products, imitating touchscreen gestures or WIMP icons. In our study, we adapted and experimentally tested two of Morris' et al.'s suggestions for reducing legacy bias: increased production of gestures and covert kinaesthetic priming. Our findings indicate that the practical effectiveness of these strategies might be limited, given we only found medium effect sizes and a wide variance between participants that overshadows any effects. Our work contributes to reflection on, and indirectly, by experimentally testing potential variations, to future improvements of the gesture elicitation method.
Effects of Shiny Cowbird Molothrus bonariensis parasitism on different components of House Wren Troglodytes aedon reproductive success

Avian brood parasites, including cuckoos and cowbirds, have multiple negative effects on their hosts. We analysed the effects of Shiny Cowbird Molothrus bonariensis parasitism on different components (e.g. egg losses, hatching success, chick survival and nest abandonment) of House Wren Troglodytes aedon reproductive success. We also conducted an experiment to discriminate between two mechanisms that may reduce hatching success in parasitized clutches: lower efficiency of incubation due to the increase in clutch volume and disruption of host incubation by the early hatching of Cowbirds. Egg puncturing by Shiny Cowbirds reduced host clutch size at hatching by 10‐20%, and parasitized nests had a decrease in hatching success of 40‐80%. Egg losses and hatching failures were positively associated with the intensity of parasitism. Brood reduction was greater in parasitized nests, but the growth rate of the chicks that fledged was similar to that in unparasitized nests. The combined effects of egg losses, hatching failures and brood reduction decreased the number of fledged chicks by 80%. In addition, egg puncturing increased the likelihood of nest abandonment by Wrens. Experimental data showed that hatching failures occurred when there was a combination of: (1) an increase in the volume of the clutch by the addition of the Cowbird egg without removal of host eggs, and (2) the addition of the Cowbird egg before the onset of incubation. This was relatively common in House Wren nests, as Cowbirds generally parasitize before the onset of incubation. Our results indicate that Shiny Cowbird parasitism imposes a major impact on House Wrens, as it affects all components of the Wren’s reproductive success.
Imprecise Imputation: A Nonparametric Micro Approach Reflecting the Natural Uncertainty of Statistical Matching with Categorical Data

Abstract Statistical matching is the term for the integration of two or more data files that share a partially overlapping set of variables. Its aim is to obtain joint information on variables collected in different surveys based on different observation units. This naturally leads to an identification problem, since there is no observation that contains information on all variables of interest. We develop the first statistical matching micro approach reflecting the natural uncertainty of statistical matching arising from the identification problem in the context of categorical data. A complete synthetic file is obtained by imprecise imputation, replacing missing entries by sets of suitable values. Altogether, we discuss three imprecise imputation strategies and propose ideas for potential refinements. Additionally, we show how the results of imprecise imputation can be embedded into the theory of finite random sets, providing tight lower and upper bounds for probability statements. The results based on a newly developed simulation design–which is customised to the specific requirements for assessing the quality of a statistical matching procedure for categorical data–corroborate that the narrowness of these bounds is practically relevant and that these bounds almost always cover the true parameters.
Robust Distributed Fault Estimation for a Network of Dynamical Systems

In this paper, the robust distributed fault estimation problem is considered for a network of dynamical systems with external disturbances. Based on local output measurements and state estimates from neighbors, a distributed intermediate estimator is constructed for each node. By spectral decomposition of the Laplacian and proper scalings of the faults and the disturbances, a specially structured global error system can be created. It is proved that the states of the global error system are uniformly ultimately bounded with an explicit error bound. Compared with the existing results, the proposed fault estimation strategy has no requirements of the observer-matching condition and the preliminary knowledge of the upper bounds of the faults; moreover, the robustness of the global error system can be ensured by directly adjusting the design parameters of the intermediate estimators, without introducing any performance specifications. Simulation examples verify the effectiveness of the proposed method.
High body mass and kidney dysfunction relate to worse nerve function, even in adults without neuropathy

Polyneuropathy is a prevalent and disabling disorder. Despite extensive evaluation, the cause often remains unknown. Factors that predispose for the development of polyneuropathy need to be identified. We investigated the effect of anthropometric and metabolic factors on peripheral nerve function in 908 participants of the population‐based Rotterdam Study without any symptoms or signs of polyneuropathy. Participants underwent nerve conduction studies of the sural and peroneal nerve. Data on age, height, weight, waist circumference, diabetes, lipid levels, hypertension, and kidney function were collected. Regression analyses were used to investigate determinants of nerve action potential amplitudes. The frequency of abnormal sural sensory nerve action potential (SNAP) amplitudes increased with age from 1% under 60 years to 23% over 80 years. Similarly, the frequency of abnormal peroneal nerve compound motor action potential (CMAP) amplitudes increased from 4% to 13%. High weight and body mass index were independently associated with reduced sural SNAP amplitudes and peroneal CMAP amplitudes. Participants with hypertension and kidney dysfunction were more likely to have abnormal sural SNAP amplitudes. Older age, high weight, hypertension, and moderate kidney dysfunction might thus lead to peripheral nerve dysfunction in persons yet without symptoms or signs of polyneuropathy.
Conformational Dynamics and Stability of U-Shaped and S-Shaped Amyloid β Assemblies

Alzheimer’s disease is the most fatal neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the aggregation and deposition of Amyloid β (Aβ) oligomers in the brain of patients. Two principal variants of Aβ exist in humans: Aβ1–40 and Aβ1–42. The former is the most abundant in the plaques, while the latter is the most toxic species and forms fibrils more rapidly. Interestingly, fibrils of Aβ1–40 peptides can only assume U-shaped conformations while Aβ1–42 can also arrange as S-shaped three-stranded chains, as recently discovered. As alterations in protein conformational arrangement correlate with cell toxicity and speed of disease progression, it is important to characterize, at molecular level, the conformational dynamics of amyloid fibrils. In this work, Replica Exchange Molecular Dynamics simulations were carried out to compare the conformational dynamics of U-shaped and S-shaped Aβ17–42 small fibrils. Our computational results provide support for the stability of the recently proposed S-shaped model due to the maximized interactions involving the C-terminal residues. On the other hand, the U-shaped motif is characterized by significant distortions resulting in a more disordered assembly. Outcomes of our work suggest that the molecular architecture of the protein aggregates might play a pivotal role in formation and conformational stability of the resulting fibrils.
Periventricular lesions and MS diagnostic criteria in young adults with typical clinically isolated syndromes

In patients who present with a clinically isolated syndrome (CIS), whose features are suggestive of multiple sclerosis (MS), fulfilling McDonald 2010 magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) criteria for dissemination in space (DIS) and dissemination in time (DIT) enables a diagnosis of MS. While ⩾1 periventricular lesion is included in the 2010 DIS criteria, earlier McDonald criteria required ⩾3 periventricular lesions to confirm DIS and recent Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Multiple Sclerosis (MAGNIMS)-recommended DIS criteria also require ⩾3 lesions. We investigated the effect of varying the required number of periventricular lesions and found that the best combination of specificity and sensitivity for clinically definite MS was seen for ⩾1 periventricular lesion using both the McDonald 2010 and MAGNIMS 2016 criteria.
Experiences of Sessional Educators within an Australian Undergraduate Paramedic Program.

Background: The use of casual staff within the university undergraduate educational setting is a widespread phenomenon worldwide. However a lack of understanding exists regarding experiences of recruitment, support, professional development and other perceived professional needs in this area. Although previous studies of the experience of sessional educators have been reported in the literature, this is the first to describe experiences within the paramedic discipline. Objectives: To explore the experiences of sessional educators in an undergraduate program within the paramedic department of a university in Melbourne, Australia. Methods: A qualitative methodology was used that involved 10 semi-structured interviews with a purposive sample of sessional paramedic educators. Data collected from the interviews were thematically analysed to identify major issues from interview transcripts. The study was conducted in the paramedic department of a major university located in an outer metropolitan area of Melbourne, Australia. Results: Interview analysis identified five key themes of the sessional paramedic educator experience: informal processes, program inconsistencies, preparation for teaching, connection and support, and, educator benefits. Conclusion: This study fills a gap in the literature by describing the experiences of paramedic sessional educators, which was previously unreported. Many of the experiences expressed were commonly reported in the literature from other disciplines. Although the experiences was generally described as positive, the study identified a need for targeted support of these individuals, including formalisation of employment procedures, encouraging the open and timely transmission of information, as well as provisions for performance feedback and professional development.