Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Pyridinoline concentrations in muscular and skin collagen of fish and relationship between collagen solubility and pyridinoline concentration in fish muscular collagen

Pyridinoline (Pyr), one of the mature crosslinks of collagen, was determined in muscular collagen of three species of fish. The amounts of muscular Pyr in red sea bream, yellowtail, and tiger puffer were 3.4, 8.8, and 50.3 mmol/mol collagen, respectively, indicating that the Pyr concentration in muscular collagen differs greatly among fish species. The Pyr concentration in tiger puffer muscular collagen was the greatest, but it was only one-fourth that in rabbit muscle. As in mammalian skin collagen, Pyr was not detected in skin collagen of red sea bream and yellowtail. However, tiger puffer skin contained Pyr (3.75 mmol/mol collagen). The presence of Pyr would have a relationship to some features of tiger puffer skin, such as mechanical strength and thickness. Pyr concentrations in acid-soluble collagen (ASC), pepsin-solubilized collagen (PSC), and insoluble collagen (ISC) in muscles of three species of fish were determined. Pyr was found in ISC > PSC > ASC, from the highest to the lowest concentration, and the concentration in ISC was 45–200 times that in ASC. Therefore, Pyr crosslinks that are formed between collagen molecules would have a close relationship to collagen solubility.
Radar target identification by histogram analysis of resonant frequencies

A novel technique is presented for isolating the late-time resonant frequencies of specific radar targets using statistical analysis of repeated target scattering responses. Through the application of techniques for multimodal histogram analysis, dominant resonant frequency patterns for simulated and measured targets are developed to provide a reliable basis for identification regardless of target orientation, even in the presence of significant noise. Results are demonstrated for a practical target identification application that arises in underground coal mining.
Attributing awareness to oneself and to others

Significance What is the relationship between your own private awareness of events and the awareness that you intuitively attribute to the people around you? In this study, a region of the human cerebral cortex was active when people attributed sensory awareness to someone else. Furthermore, when that region of cortex was temporarily disrupted, the person’s own sensory awareness was disrupted. The findings suggest a fundamental connection between private awareness and social cognition. This study tested the possible relationship between reported visual awareness (“I see a visual stimulus in front of me”) and the social attribution of awareness to someone else (“That person is aware of an object next to him”). Subjects were tested in two steps. First, in an fMRI experiment, subjects were asked to attribute states of awareness to a cartoon face. Activity associated with this task was found bilaterally within the temporoparietal junction (TPJ) among other areas. Second, the TPJ was transiently disrupted using single-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). When the TMS was targeted to the same cortical sites that had become active during the social attribution task, the subjects showed symptoms of visual neglect in that their detection of visual stimuli was significantly affected. In control trials, when TMS was targeted to nearby cortical sites that had not become active during the social attribution task, no significant effect on visual detection was found. These results suggest that there may be at least some partial overlap in brain mechanisms that participate in the social attribution of sensory awareness to other people and in attributing sensory awareness to oneself.
School Belongingness and Mental Health Functioning across the Primary-Secondary Transition in a Mainstream Sample: Multi-Group Cross-Lagged Analyses

The relationship between school belongingness and mental health functioning before and after the primary-secondary school transition has not been previously investigated in students with and without disabilities. This study used a prospective longitudinal design to test the bi-directional relationships between these constructs, by surveying 266 students with and without disabilities and their parents, 6-months before and after the transition to secondary school. Cross-lagged multi-group analyses found student perception of belongingness in the final year of primary school to contribute to change in their mental health functioning a year later. The beneficial longitudinal effects of school belongingness on subsequent mental health functioning were evident in all student subgroups; even after accounting for prior mental health scores and the cross-time stability in mental health functioning and school belongingness scores. Findings of the current study substantiate the role of school contextual influences on early adolescent mental health functioning. They highlight the importance for primary and secondary schools to assess students’ school belongingness and mental health functioning and transfer these records as part of the transition process, so that appropriate scaffolds are in place to support those in need. Longer term longitudinal studies are needed to increase the understanding of the temporal sequencing between school belongingness and mental health functioning of all mainstream students.
Metabolic syndrome predicts poor health-related quality of life in women but not in men: Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study.

OBJECTIVE To compare health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in those with and without metabolic syndrome in a general Iranian population. METHODS This was a cross-sectional study of HRQOL conducted in a sample of individuals with and without metabolic syndrome using the data obtained from the Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study (TLGS) and information specifically collected for the present investigation. Metabolic syndrome was defined according to the adult treatment panel III (ATPIII) and HRQOL was assessed using the Short Form Health Survey (SF-36). Logistic regression analyses were performed for the whole sample and both sexes while adjusting for potential confounders in order to estimate odds ratios for predicting HRQOL in this population. RESULTS In all, 950 participants with (n = 361) and without (n = 589) metabolic syndrome were studied. The mean age of participants was 46.5 +/- 14.4 years. In women, but not in men, metabolic syndrome had an independent role in predicting poor HRQOL. With increase in the number of metabolic syndrome components, there was a significant decreasing trend in women's physical component summary scores. CONCLUSIONS The results indicate that metabolic syndrome is associated with poor HRQOL in women but not in men, and the association is formed mainly in relation to physical rather than mental health.
Reflex Seizures Induced by Defecation, with an Ictal EEG Focus in the Left Frontotemporal Region

Summary: We report a 9‐year‐old boy with seizures induced by defecation. The episodes occurred 1–2 min after passing a bowel action and consisted of initial staring, gagging, and drooling followed by a secondarily generalized tonic–clonic seizure. The interictal EEGs were normal, but an ictal EEG with concurrent video monitoring demonstrated a polyspike wave discharge in the left frontotemporal region. There was no evidence of syncope, and the seizures did not occur while straining to empty his bowels or immediately on standing afterward. His magnetic resonance imaging scan was normal. This is the first reported case in which ictal EEG monitoring has demonstrated reflex seizures induced by defecation.
Resource Provisioning for IoT Services in the Fog

The advent of the Internet of Things (IoT) leadsto the pervasion of business and private spaces with ubiquitous, networked computing devices. These devices do not simply actas sensors, but feature computational, storage, and networkingresources. These resources are close to the edge of the network, and it is a promising approach to exploit them in order to executeIoT services. This concept is known as fog computing.Despite existing theoretical foundations, the adoption of fogcomputing is still at its very beginning. Especially, there is alack of approaches for the leasing and releasing of resources. Toresolve this shortcoming, we present a conceptual framework forfog resource provisioning. We formalize an optimization problemwhich is able to take into account existing resources in fog/IoTlandscapes. The goal of this optimization problem is to providedelay-sensitive utilization of available fog-based computationalresources. We evaluate the resource provisioning model to showthe benefits of our contributions. Our results show a decrease indelays of up to 39% compared to a baseline approach, yieldingshorter round-trip times and makespans.
Rethinking adaptation for a 4°C world

With weakening prospects of prompt mitigation, it is increasingly likely that the world will experience 4°C and more of global warming. In such a world, adaptation decisions that have long lead times or that have implications playing out over many decades become more uncertain and complex. Adapting to global warming of 4°C cannot be seen as a mere extrapolation of adaptation to 2°C; it will be a more substantial, continuous and transformative process. However, a variety of psychological, social and institutional barriers to adaptation are exacerbated by uncertainty and long timeframes, with the danger of immobilizing decision-makers. In this paper, we show how complexity and uncertainty can be reduced by a systematic approach to categorizing the interactions between decision lifetime, the type of uncertainty in the relevant drivers of change and the nature of adaptation response options. We synthesize a number of issues previously raised in the literature to link the categories of interactions to a variety of risk-management strategies and tactics. Such application could help to break down some barriers to adaptation and both simplify and better target adaptation decision-making. The approach needs to be tested and adopted rapidly.
Optimal multiple description transform coding of Gaussian vectors

Multiple description coding (MDC) is source coding for multiple channels such that a decoder which receives an arbitrary subset of the channels may produce a useful reconstruction. Orchard et al. (1997) proposed a transform coding method for MDC of pairs of independent Gaussian random variables. This paper provides a general framework which extends multiple description transform coding (MDTC) to any number of variables and expands the set of transforms which are considered. Analysis of the general case is provided, which can be used to numerically design optimal MDTC systems. The case of two variables sent over two channels is analytically optimized in the most general setting where channel failures need not have equal probability or be independent. It is shown that when channel failures are equally probable and independent, the transforms used in Orchard et al. are in the optimal set, but many other choices are possible. A cascade structure is presented which facilitates low-complexity design, coding, and decoding for a system with a large number of variables.
The Menopause Transition Experiences of Chinese Singaporean Women: An Exploratory Qualitative Study

Background: Menopause, a developmental occurrence that takes place in midlife, marks the end of a woman’s fertile phase. Cultural norms, social influences, and personal perceptions related to menopause may influence its meaning and how each woman experiences this transition. Little is known about the menopausal experiences of Asian women. Purpose: This study explores the menopause transition experiences of ethnic Chinese women in Singapore. Methods: Using a qualitative design, the researchers conducted audio-taped interviews in 2010 with 14 menopausal and postmenopausal Chinese Singaporean women aged 40–60 years. Thematic analysis was used to analyze interviews. Results: Two main themes were identified: (a) experiencing symptoms and (b) managing symptoms during menopause transition. The most commonly reported symptoms were abnormal bleeding, hot flushes, and emotional changes. Most participants described their transition to be uneventful and ordinary and reported two significant symptoms at most. The strategies women used to manage their transition included using Western and traditional Chinese medical interventions and seeking support from family and friends. Conclusions: This study provides new insights into how ethnic Chinese women in Singapore experience menopause transition. Findings can assist nurses and healthcare workers in the local context to better understand menopausal women’s needs and guide nurses to implement suitable health promotional strategies for women under their care in both hospital and community settings. Implications for Practice: Although ethnicity is not necessarily a determinant of symptom experience during menopause transition, health education for menopausal women should be based on knowledge of culture-specific practices. Nurses caring for menopausal women in hospital and community settings in Singapore should evaluate the use of medications prescribed by Western and Chinese herbal medical professionals as well as those that are self-prescribed.
New constraints on dark energy from the observed growth of the most X-ray luminous galaxy clusters

We present constraints on the mean matter density, {Omega}{sub m}, normalization of the density fluctuation power spectrum, {sigma}{sub 8}, and dark energy equation of state parameter, w, obtained from the X-ray luminosity function of the Massive Cluster Survey (MACS) in combination with the local BCS and REFLEX galaxy cluster samples. Our analysis incorporates the mass function predictions of Jenkins et al. (2001), a mass-luminosity relation calibrated using the data of Reiprich and Bohringer (2002), and standard priors on the Hubble constant, H{sub 0}, and mean baryon density, {Omega}{sub b} h{sup 2}. We find {Omega}{sub m}=0.27 {sup +0.06} {sub -0.05} and {sigma}{sub 8}=0.77 {sup +0.07} {sub -0.06} for a spatially flat, cosmological constant model, and {Omega}{sub m}=0.28 {sup +0.08} {sub -0.06}, {sigma}{sub 8}=0.75 {+-} 0.08 and w=-0.97 {sup +0.20} {sub -0.19} for a flat, constant-w model. Our findings constitute the first precise determination of the dark energy equation of state from measurements of the growth of cosmic structure in galaxy clusters. The consistency of our result with w=-1 lends strong additional support to the cosmological constant model. The constraints are insensitive to uncertainties at the 10-20 percent level in the mass function and in the redshift evolution o the mass-luminosity relation; the constraint on dark energy is additionally robust against our choice of priors and known X-ray observational biases affecting the mass-luminosity relation. Our results compare favorably with those from recent analyses of type Ia supernovae, cosmic microwave background anisotropies, the X-ray gas mass fraction of relaxed galaxy clusters and cosmic shear. A simplified combination of the luminosity function data with supernova, cosmic microwave background and cluster gas fraction data using importance sampling yields the improved constraints {Omega}{sub m}=0.263 {+-} 0.014, {sigma}{sub 8}=0.79 {+-} 0.02 and w=-1.00 +- 0.05.
Reduced Numbers and Proapoptotic Features of Mucosal-associated Invariant T Cells as a Characteristic Finding in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

To the Editor: I was interested to the read the striking observations in the report by Hiejima et al of reduced frequencies of TCR Va7.2+ CD161+ mucosalassociated invariant T (MAIT) cells in inflammatory bowel disease, occurring in both peripheral blood and mucosal tissue. Such a deficiency is likely to be functionally important as MAIT cells are abundant within the lamina propria in man and, given, they share a common antigen specificity for microbial-derived precursors of riboflavin synthesis, they are likely to constitute a critical component in mucosal host defense and the early induction of adaptive immune responses. These findings are consonant with our recent description of a similar, marked deficiency of MAIT cells in human asthma. Using the same methodology, we observed a highly significant deficiency of live CD3+ TCR Va7.2+ CD161+ T cells in peripheral blood (P 1⁄4 0.005), in luminal (sputum) samples (P 1⁄4 0.002), and mucosal (endobronchial biopsy) samples (P 1⁄4 0.02) in asthma. This deficiency correlated with disease severity, being significant only in moderate asthma group—receiving treatment with chronic low-dose corticosteroids— and in severe asthma group, who were receiving high-dose inhaled corticosteroids and/or oral corticosteroids. We suspected these deficiencies might be attributable to therapeutic corticosteroids, indeed MAIT cell frequencies correlated negatively with dose of inhaled corticosteroids in both peripheral blood (rs 1⁄4 20.59, P , 0.0001) and in sputum (rs 1⁄4 20.42, P 1⁄4 0.004). Therefore, we undertook 2 open-label clinical trials of inhaled and of oral corticosteroids. Peripheral blood MAIT cell frequencies were not significantly affected by 7 days of low-dose inhaled corticosteroids (equivalent to 400 mg/d of beclometasone diproprionate) but there was a significant 23% reduction in blood MAIT cell frequencies with only 7 days’ treatment with 20 mg/d oral prednisolone (P 1⁄4 0.03). This effect was specific to MAIT cells as it was not observed with the Va7.2+ CD1612 population. Although Hiejima et al do not provide detailed clinical information on concomitant medications in their report, it is highly likely that many of these patients will have had current or recent exposure to topical or systemic corticosteroids, constituting the most likely explanation for their observations. It remains to be seen whether the consequences of such iatrogenic impairment of MAIT cell frequencies are beneficial or detrimental to the integrity of the gastrointestinal mucosal immune system.
Voluntary Activation is Reduced in Both the More- and Less-Affected Upper Limbs after Unilateral Stroke

Objective: Measurement of voluntary activation gives an indication of neural drive to the muscle. This study aimed to identify the site of impairment in neural drive during voluntary contractions post-stroke. Methods: Elbow-flexor voluntary activation was assessed bilaterally for 10 stroke patients (mean 61.2 ± 12.3 years) and 6 age-matched controls (61.3 ± 14.0 years) by stimulating either the peripheral nerve or the motor cortex during maximal voluntary contractions. Any additional evoked force during maximal contractions implies neural drive is incomplete. Peripheral stimulation can detect deficits at or above the stimulation level, while cortical stimulation can identify suboptimal supraspinal output. Results: Impairments were apparent on the less-affected side in addition to the more-affected side after stroke in voluntary activation, torque, and electromyographic activity (EMG) response. Maximal torque was reduced by 44% on the more-affected and 31% on the less-affected side compared to healthy controls (p < 0.001). Peripheral voluntary activation was reduced to 81% on the more-affected side and 86% on the less-affected side, with healthy subjects at 96% (p < 0.05). Although EMG was bilaterally impaired after stroke, the pattern of response was different between sides. Voluntary activation could not be calculated for cortical stimulation post-stroke due to variability in the evoked force, but EMG results from cortical stimulation showed significant differences in the neural drive to each side. Conclusion: Voluntary activation is impaired bilaterally in the upper-limb after stroke, with reduced cortical connectivity on the more-affected side. Significance: Although the muscle itself did not change post-stroke, altered descending drive and connectivity were the critical factors explaining post-stroke paresis.
A JUMONJI Protein with E 3 Ligase and Histone H 3 Binding Activities Affects Transposon Silencing in Arabidopsis 1

Transposable elements (TEs) make up a large proportion of eukaryotic genomes. As their mobilization creates genetic variation that threatens genome integrity, TEs are epigenetically silenced through several pathways, and this may spread to neighboring sequences. JUMONJI (JMJ) proteins can function as antisilencing factors and prevent silencing of genes next to TEs. Whether TE silencing is counterbalanced by the activity of antisilencing factors is still unclear. Here, we characterize JMJ24 as a regulator of TE silencing. We show that loss of JMJ24 results in increased silencing of the DNA transposon AtMu1c, while overexpression of JMJ24 reduces silencing. JMJ24 has a JumonjiC (JmjC) domain and two RING domains. JMJ24 autoubiquitinates in vitro, demonstrating E3 ligase activity of the RING domain(s). JMJ24-JmjC binds the N-terminal tail of histone H3, and full-length JMJ24 binds histone H3 in vivo. JMJ24 activity is anticorrelated with histone H3 Lys 9 dimethylation (H3K9me2) levels at AtMu1c. Double mutant analyses with epigenetic silencing mutants suggest that JMJ24 antagonizes histone H3K9me2 and requires H3K9 methyltransferases for its activity on AtMu1c. Genome-wide transcriptome analysis indicates that JMJ24 affects silencing at additional TEs. Our results suggest that the JmjC domain of JMJ24 has lost demethylase activity but has been retained as a binding domain for histone H3. This is in line with phylogenetic analyses indicating that JMJ24 (with the mutated JmjC domain) is widely conserved in angiosperms. Taken together, this study assigns a role in TE silencing to a conserved JmjC-domain protein with E3 ligase activity, but no demethylase activity.
The Strawberry Gene Fagast Affects Plant Growth through Inhibition of Cell Elongation

The strawberry (Fragaria3ananassa) FaGAST gene encodes a small protein with 12 cysteine residues conserved in the C-terminal region similar to a group of proteins identified in other species with diverse assigned functions such as cell division, elongation, or elongation arrest. This gene is expressed in the fruit receptacle, with two peaks during ripening at the white and the red-ripe stages, both coincident with an arrest in the growth pattern. Expression is also high in the roots but confined to the cells at the end of the elongation zone. Exogenous application of gibberellin increased the transcript level of the FaGAST gene in strawberry fruits. Ectopic expression of FaGAST in transgenic Fragaria vesca under the control of the CaMV-35S promoter caused both delayed growth of the plant and fruits with reduced size. The same growth defect was observed in Arabidopsis thaliana plants overexpressing FaGAST. In addition, the transgenic plants exhibited late flowering and low sensitivity to exogenous gibberellin. Taken together, the expression pattern, the regulation by gibberellin, and the trans-genic phenotypes point to a role for FaGAST in arresting cell elongation during strawberry fruit ripening.