Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Provably Secure Anonymous-yet-Accountable Crowdsensing with Scalable Sublinear Revocation

Abstract Group signature schemes enable anonymous-yet-accountable communications. Such a capability is extremely useful for applications, such as smartphone-based crowdsensing and citizen science. However, the performance of modern group signature schemes is still inadequate to manage large dynamic groups. In this paper, we design the first provably secure verifier-local revocation (VLR) - based group signature scheme that supports sublinear revocation, named Sublinear Revocation with Backward unlinkability and Exculpability (SRBE). To achieve this performance gain, SRBE introduces time bound pseudonyms for the signer. By introducing low-cost short-lived pseudonyms with sublinear revocation checking, SRBE drastically improves the efficiency of the group-signature primitive. The backward-unlinkable anonymity of SRBE guarantees that even after the revocation of a signer, her previously generated signatures remain unlinkable across epochs. This behavior favors the dynamic nature of real-world crowdsensing settings. We prove its security and discuss parameters that influence its scalability. Using SRBE, we also implement a prototype named GroupSense for anonymous-yet-accountable crowdsensing, where our experimental findings confirm GroupSense’s scalability. We point out the open problems remaining in this space.
Control of rhizopus rot of peaches with postharvest treatments of tebuconazole, fludioxonil, and Pseudomonas syringae

Rhizopus rot caused by Rhizopus stolonifer is a potentially serious postharvest disease of Canadian-grown peaches. Several new fungicides are effective against brown rot (Monilinia fructicola) of peaches, but little is known of their postharvest efficacies against R. stolonifer. Harvested peaches were arranged in trays, individually punctured once and co-treated with a suspension of both R. stolonifer sporangiospores and cells of an isolate of Pseudomonas syringae or one of 13 fungicides at 0.5–1.0 times the dilute concentration used to control brown rot in orchard programs. In subsequent experiments, the peaches were inoculated with R. stolonifer, incubated for 6 h, chilled, and a day later the inoculated sites were brushed with a suspension of fludioxonil, tebuconazole, or P. syringae. In the co-treatment studies, azoxystrobin, fenhexamid, fenbuconazole, myclobutanil, benomyl, and sulfur reduced rhizopus rot by 0–22%. Cyprodinil and propiconazole gave 20–60% reduction, while fludioxonil, tebuconazole, and two P. syringae isolates gave 75–100% reduction, comparable with that of dicloran and iprodione. Post-inoculation brushing treatments with P. syringae at 10 000 µg ESC 10/mL gave less than 20% control, while fludioxonil and tebuconazole gave 90% control (EC90) at 472 and 718 µg/mL, respectively.
Discovering negative correlated gene sets from integrative gene expression data for cancer prognosis

Along with the emergence and development of translational biomedicine, more and more genetic information has been applied in clinical practice. In recent decade, the discovery of genetic biomarkers for cancer prognosis obtains increasing attentions and many methods have been developed. The ”element” methods use one or two independent genes to judge the Boolean status of disease. The ”set” methods use general genetic biomarkers to classify patients into different risks as a whole. And the advanced ”sets” methods use a group of different gene sets as biomarkers. However, the existing methods always concern positive correlations among genes ignoring negative correlations. Whereas the negative regulation, negative feedback, and functional repression are actually the important clues in cancer expression profiles. Therefore, in this paper, we propose to mine negative correlated gene sets (NCGSs) from multiple datasets, and use them along with the pure positive correlated gene sets for prognosis classification. The exploring experimental results have shown the encouraging promotion of cancer prognosis accuracy with NCGSs.
Effects of Low-Intensity Resistance Exercise Under Acute Systemic Hypoxia on Hormonal Responses

Kon, M, Ikeda, T, Homma, T, and Suzuki, Y. Effects of low-intensity resistance exercise under acute systemic hypoxia on hormonal responses. J Strength Cond Res 26(3): 611–617, 2012—Previous studies have shown that low-intensity resistance exercises with vascular occlusion and slow movement effectively increase muscular size and strength. Researchers have speculated that local hypoxia by occlusion and slow movement may contribute to such adaptations via promoting anabolic hormone secretions by the local accumulation of metabolites. In this study, we determined the effects of low-intensity resistance exercise under acute systemic hypoxia on metabolic and hormonal responses. Eight male subjects participated in 2 experimental trials: (a) low-intensity resistance exercise while breathing normoxic air (normoxic resistance exercise [NR]), (b) low-intensity resistance exercise while breathing 13% oxygen (hypoxic resistance exercise [HR]). The resistance exercises (bench press and leg press) consisted of 14 repetitions for 5 sets at 50% of maximum strength with 1 minute of rest between sets. Blood lactate (LA), serum growth hormone (GH), norepinephrine (NE), testosterone, and cortisol concentrations were measured before normoxia and hypoxia exposures; 15 minutes after the exposures; and at 0, 15, and 30 minutes after the exercises. The LA levels significantly increased after exercises in both trials (p ≤ 0.05). The area under the curve for LA after exercises was significantly higher in the HR trial than in the NR trial (p ≤ 0.05). The GH significantly increased only after the HR trial (p ≤ 0.05). The NE and testosterone significantly increased after the exercises in both trials (p ≤ 0.05). Cortisol did not significantly change in both trials. These results suggest that low-intensity resistance exercise in the hypoxic condition caused greater metabolic and hormonal responses than that in the normoxic condition. Coaches may consider low-intensity resistance exercise under systemic hypoxia as a potential training method for athletes who need to maintain muscle mass and strength during the long in-season.
Are methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus that produce Panton-Valentine leucocidin (PVL) found among residents of care homes?

OBJECTIVES Panton-Valentine leucocidin (PVL)-positive Staphylococcus aureus are responsible for causing skin and soft tissue infections, with the potential to cause severe invasive disease. Recently, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains that produce PVL have emerged in the community. As residents of care homes are a key group at risk of MRSA colonization and infection, we have examined the epidemiology of MRSA in three large cohorts of residents in urban care homes to establish whether PVL-positive MRSA strains are present in this setting. METHODS Nasal swabs (n = 3037) collected from consenting residents of 69 care homes in Leeds, UK, were screened for MRSA using chromogenic agar over three periods (June-August 2005, November-December 2006 and October-November 2007). PCR amplification was used to detect genes encoding PVL. Antibiogram profile and PFGE were also used to characterize MRSA isolates (n = 601). RESULTS MRSA prevalence was 21%, 20% and 19% in each cohort, respectively. The majority of the isolates were related epidemiologically to the predominant local nosocomial epidemic MRSA strain, EMRSA-15 (78%). No isolate carried the genes encoding PVL. Twelve percent of the isolates (n = 74) had increased susceptibility to non-beta-lactam agents and were distributed across 31 care homes. CONCLUSIONS MRSA strains that produced PVL were not found to be colonizing residents of care homes between 2005 and 2007. Continued surveillance is, however, necessary to understand the interaction between MRSA in care homes and hospitals, especially to reduce the chance that the former may amplify community-associated MRSA strains.
Large deviations for random walks under subexponentiality: The big-jump domain

For a given one-dimensional random walk {Sn} with a subexponential step-size distribution, we present a unifying theory to study the sequences {xn} for which as n→∞ uniformly for x≥xn. We also investigate the stronger “local” analogue, . Our theory is self-contained and fits well within classical results on domains of (partial) attraction and local limit theory. When specialized to the most important subclasses of subexponential distributions that have been studied in the literature, we reproduce known theorems and we supplement them with new results.
The potential for improving the stiffness of young South African grown Pinus radiata lumber by using high planting densities.

Faster growth and reduced harvesting ages is causing a reduction in the stiffness of lumber from South African grown pine plantations. The objective of this study was to determine whether higher planting densities of Pinus radiata from the Southern Cape, South Africa, could be used as a management intervention to increase the stiffness of its sawn lumber. A secondary objective was to determine the effect of planting density on other relevant properties including warp, knots, density, and modulus of rupture (MOR). Lumber properties of 61 Pinus radiata trees from four different spacing treatments from a 20-year-old spacing trial were recorded. Results indicated that initial planting density had a highly significant effect on the MOE(edge) of sawn lumber. There was a large increase in MOE(edge) of lumber from 403 spha to 1097 spha. However, MOE(edge) did not increase significantly with planting densities higher than 1097 spha. Initial planting density also had significant effects on the number and size of knots and the MOR of lumber. These results did not follow the same trends as previously found on New Zealand-grown Pinus radiata.
Correlations of CYP2C9∗3/CYP2D6∗10/CYP3A5∗3 gene polymorphisms with efficacy of etanercept treatment for patients with ankylosing spondylitis

Background: The tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-&agr;) inhibitor etanercept has been proven to be effective in the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis (AS), while genetic polymorphism may affect drug metabolism or drug receptor, resulting in interindividual variability in drug disposition and efficacy. The purpose of this study is to investigate the correlations between CYP2C9*3/CYP2D6*10/CYP3A5*3 gene polymorphisms and the efficacy of etanercept treatment for patients with AS. Methods: From March 2012 to June 2015, 312 AS patients (174 males and 138 females, mean age: 35.2 ± 5.83 years) from 18 to 56 years old were enrolled in this study. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism was applied to detect the allele and genotype frequencies of CYP2C9*3, CYP2D6*10, and CYP3A5*3 gene polymorphisms. The joint swelling score, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and C-reactive protein (CRP) level of AS patients were compared before and after 24-week etanercept treatment. Assessment in Ankylosing Spondylitis (ASAS) and bath ankylosing spondylitis disease activity index (BASDAI) scores were recorded to assess the efficacy of etanercept treatment. Results: The AS patients with wild-type *1/*1 and heterozygous *1/*3 genotypes of CYP2C9*3 polymorphism accounted for 93.59% and 6.41%, respectively, without *3/*3 genotype. The AS patients with wild-type CC, heterozygous CT, and mutation homozygous TT genotypes of CYP2D6*10 polymorphism accounted for 19.23%, 39.10%, and 41.67%, respectively. The AS patients with wild-type *1/*1, heterozygous *1/*3, and mutation homozygous *3/*3 genotypes of CYP3A5*3 polymorphism accounted for 7.69%, 36.22%, and 56.09%, respectively. After 24-week treatment, AS patients with wild-type *1/*1 genotype of CYP2C9*3, CC genotype of CYP2D6*10, and *3/*3 genotype of CYP3A5*3 polymorphisms had lower joint swelling score, ESR, and CRP level. The joint swelling score, ESR, and CRP levels were significantly lower in the patients with CC genotype of CYP2D6*10 polymorphism than in CT and TT genotype patients, and they were lower in patients with *3/*3 genotype of CYP3A5*3 polymorphism compared to those with *1/*1 and *1/*3 genotypes. Average visual analog scale scores of 4 ASAS20 indexes were decreased after treatment. The patients with CC genotype of CYP2D6*10 polymorphism and *3/*3 genotype of CYP3A5*3 polymorphism exhibited higher scores of >ASAS20, >BASDAI50%, and effective rate. Conclusion: Our results indicate that CC genotype of CYP2D6*10 polymorphism and *3*3 genotype of CYP3A5*3 polymorphism are correlated with the efficacy of etanercept treatment for AS patients.
Outcome of the first Medicines Utilization Research in Africa group meeting to promote sustainable and rational medicine use in Africa

The first Medicines Utilization Research in Africa group workshop and symposium brought researchers together from across Africa to improve their knowledge on drug utilization methodologies as well as exchange ideas. As a result, progress was made on drug utilization research and formulating future strategies to enhance the rational use of medicines in Africa. Anti-infectives were the principal theme for the 1-day symposium following the workshops. This included presentations on the inappropriate use of antibiotics as well as ways to address this. Concerns with adverse drug reactions and adherence to anti-retroviral medicines were also discussed, with poor adherence remaining a challenge. There were also concerns with the underutilization of generics. These discussions resulted in a number of agreed activities before the next conference in 2016.
The Role of Matrix Gla Protein in Ossification and Recovery of the Avian Growth Plate

Extracellular matrix mineralization is an essential physiologic process in bone, teeth, and hypertrophic cartilage. Matrix Gla protein (MGP), an inhibitor of mineralization, is expressed by chondrocytes and vascular smooth muscle cells to inhibit calcification of those soft tissues. Tibial dyschondroplasia (TD), a skeletal abnormality apparent as a plug of non-vascularized, non-mineralized, white opaque cartilage in the tibial growth plate of avian species can serve as a good model for studying process and genes involved in matrix mineralization and calcification. In this work, we studied the involvement of MGP in the development of TD, as well as in the processes of spontaneous and induced recovery from this syndrome. First, we found that during normal bone development, MGP is expressed in specific time and locations, starting from wide-spread expression in the yet un-ossified diaphysis during embryonic development, to specific expression in hypertrophic chondrocytes adjacent to the chondro-osseous junction and the secondary ossification center just prior to calcification. In addition, we show that MGP is not expressed in the impaired TD lesion, however when the lesion begins to heal, it strongly express MGP prior to its calcification. Moreover, we show that when calcification is inhibited, a gap is formed between the expression zones of MGP and BMP2 and that this gap is closed during the healing process. To conclude, we suggest that MGP, directly or through interaction with BMP2, plays a role as ossification regulator that acts prior to ossification, rather then simple inhibitor.
The Evolution of HIV illness representation among marginally housed persons

Abstract Many HIV-infected marginally housed individuals have difficulty engaging in health care. To investigate HIV health-related behaviour, 14 in-depth interviews with marginally housed HIV-infected individuals were conducted and analysed utilizing standard qualitative methodologies. The analysis was based on the Illness Representation Model, which describes five conceptual dimensions of illness: identification; cause; timeline; management; and consequences. A theoretical model of illness representation at two distinct time points emerged and included the two categories: ‘didn't suspect and didn't believe it’ and ‘knew but needed proof’. In this study illness representation categories were found to evolve and change over time, and were associated with engagement in HIV care. This study may help guide programmes that focus on enhancing health-promoting behaviour and improving engagement in health care among marginally housed individuals.
The Effect of Delivery Method on Conceptual and Strategy Development

In order to develop intellectual expertise, the student needs to learn how to perform sophisticated pattern identification, and how to employ effective study and test taking strategies. These cognitive requirements are complex and analytical, and formal instruction operates under challenging constraints. In order to help students succeed in their chosen field, we need to understand better how instruction can help develop these meta-cognitive skills. This paper reports the results of a study in which novices attempted to categorize calculus integration problems in one of three delivery methods (Drill and Test, Fully Integrated, Incremental Learning). The results demonstrate that Incremental Learners develop the most effective study and test-taking strategies, have the best conceptual development, and have the most positive reactions to learning. The results, together with a previously reported computational study, support the hypothesis that Incremental Learners develop more effective concepts and strategies.
Genome-wide analysis demonstrates conserved localization of messenger RNAs to mitotic microtubules

RNA localization is of critical importance in many fundamental cell biological and developmental processes by regulating the spatial control of gene expression. To investigate how spindle-localized RNAs might influence mitosis, we comprehensively surveyed all messenger RNAs (mRNAs) that bound to microtubules during metaphase in both Xenopus laevis egg extracts and mitotic human cell extracts. We identify conserved classes of mRNAs that are enriched on microtubules in both human and X. laevis. Active mitotic translation occurs on X. laevis meiotic spindles, and a subset of microtubule-bound mRNAs (MT-mRNAs) associate with polyribosomes. Although many MT-mRNAs associate with polyribosomes, we find that active translation is not required for mRNA localization to mitotic microtubules. Our results represent the first genome-wide survey of mRNAs localized to a specific cytoskeletal component and suggest that microtubule localization of specific mRNAs is likely to function in mitotic regulation and mRNA segregation during cell division.
Identification of a New Family of Protein Phosphatase 2A Regulatory Subunits (*)

Protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) is a major intracellular protein phosphatase that regulates multiple aspects of cell growth and metabolism. The ability of this widely distributed heterotrimeric enzyme to act on a diverse array of substrates is largely controlled by the nature of its regulatory B subunit. Only two gene families encoding endogenous B subunits have been cloned to date, although the existence of several additional regulatory subunits is likely. We have identified by two-hybrid interaction a new human gene family encoding PP2A B subunits. This family, denoted B56, contains three distinct genes, one of which is differentially spliced. B56 polypeptides co-immunoprecipitate with PP2A A and C subunits and with an okadaic acid-inhibitable, heparin-stimulated phosphatase activity. The three B56 family members are 70% identical to each other but share no obvious homology with previously identified B subunits. These phosphatase regulators are differentially expressed, with B56α and B56 highly expressed in heart and skeletal muscle and B56β highly expressed in brain. The identification of this novel phosphatase regulator gene family will facilitate future studies on the control of protein dephosphorylation and the role of PP2A in cellular function.
EVIDENCE BASED PUBLIC HEALTH POLICY AND PRACTICE The population effect of crime and neighbourhood on physical activity: an analysis of 15 461 adults

Area-based interventions offer the potential to increase physical activity for many sedentary people in countries such as the UK. Evidence on the effect of individual and area/neighbourhood influences on physical activity is in its infancy, and despite its value to policy makers a population focus is rarely used. Data from a population-based health and lifestyle survey of adults in northwest England were used to analyse associations between individual and neighbourhood perceptions and physical activity. The population effect of eliminating a risk factor was expressed as a likely effect on population levels of physical activity. Of the 15 461 responders, 21 923 (27.1%) were physically active. Neighbourhood perceptions of leisure facilities were associated with physical activity, but no association was found for sense of belonging, public transport or shopping facilities. People who felt safe in their neighbourhood were more likely to be physically active, but no associations were found for vandalism, assaults, muggings or experience of crime. The number of physically active people would increase by 3290 if feelings of ‘‘unsafe’’ during the day were removed, and by 11 237 if feelings of ‘‘unsafe’’ during the night were removed. An additional 8342 people would be physically active if everyone believed that they were ‘‘very well placed for leisure facilities’’. Feeling safe had the potential largest effect on population levels of physical activity. Strategies to increase physical activity in the population need to consider the wider determinants of health-related behaviour, including fear of crime and safety.
A lithium-sensitive regulator of sperm flagellar oscillation is activated by cAMP-dependent phosphorylation

Specific effects of both in vivo activation and in vitro activation by cAMP-dependent phosphorylation on bending wave parameters of demembranated, reactivated, tunicate (Ciona intestinalis) and sea urchin (Lytechinus pictus) sperm flagella can be reversed by exposure to protein phosphatase. The effects of protein phosphatase incubation can be imitated by inclusion of LiCl in the reactivation solutions. The primary effect of cAMP-dependent phosphorylation appears to be activation of a regulatory mechanism controlling flagellar oscillation, rather than activation of the active sliding mechanism. Lithium appears to act on the same regulatory mechanism.
Contribution of nasal pathways to low frequency respiratory impedance in infants

Background: In infants the impedance of the nasal pathways (Zn) is a significant proportion of the total respiratory impedance (Zrs). Methods: In 11 infants Zrs was partitioned into Zn and lower respiratory system impedance (Zlrs) using a nasal catheter. A low frequency oscillatory signal (0.5–20 Hz) was applied during a pause in breathing to obtain the impedance spectra. A model of the respiratory system containing an airway and tissue compartment was then fitted to Zrs and Zlrs. The airway compartment consisted of a frequency independent resistance (R) and inertance (I), while the tissue compartment was described by coefficients of tissue damping (G) and elastance (H). Results: Zrs could be reliably partitioned into Zn and Zlrs. The nasal pathway acted as a purely resistive-inertive impedance and contributed approximately half of the airway resistance (mean (SE) 44.6 (4.9)%) and most of the respiratory system inertance (71.7 (3.5)%). Conclusion: In studies investigating changes in airway resistance in nasally breathing infants, the separation of nasal and lower respiratory system mechanics will increase the sensitivity of the tests.