Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Patients with chronic peripheral vestibular hypofunction compared to healthy subjects exhibit differences in gaze and gait behaviour when walking on stairs and ramps

Objective The aim of this study was to compare gaze behaviour during stair and ramp walking between patients with chronic peripheral vestibular hypofunction and healthy human subjects. Methods Twenty four (24) patients with chronic peripheral vestibular hypofunction (14 unilateral and 10 bilateral) and 24 healthy subjects performed stair and ramp up and down walks at self-selected speed. The walks were repeated five times. A mobile eye tracker was used to record gaze behaviour (defined as time directed to pre-defined areas) and an insole measurement device assessed gait (speed, step time, step length). During each walk gaze behaviour relative to i) detection of first transition area “First TA”, ii) detection of steps of the mid-staircase area and the handrail “Structure”, iii) detection of second transition area “Second TA”, and iv) looking elsewhere “Elsewhere” was assessed and expressed as a percentage of the walk duration. For all variables, a one-way ANOVA followed by contrast tests was conducted. Results Patients looked significantly longer at the “Structure” (p<0.001) and “Elsewhere” (p<0.001) while walking upstairs compared to walking downstairs (p<0.013). Patients looked significantly longer at the “Structure” (p<0.001) and “Elsewhere” (p<0.001) while walking upstairs compared to walking downstairs (p<0.013). No differences between groups were observed for the transition areas with exception of stair ascending. Patients were also slower going downstairs (p = 0.002) and presented with an increased step time (p = 0.003). Patients were walking faster up the ramp (p = 0.014) with longer step length (p = 0.008) compared to walking down the ramp (p = 0.050) with shorter step length (p = 0.024). Conclusions Patients with chronic peripheral vestibular hypofunction differed in time directed to pre-defined areas during stair and ramp walking and looked longer at stair and ramp areas of interest during walking compared to healthy subjects. Patients did not differ in time directed to pre-defined areas during the stair-floor transition area while going downstairs, an area where accidents may frequently occur.
The Satiating Effect of NUTRALYS® Pea Protein Leads to Reduced Energy intake in Healthy Humans

As the global obesity epidemic and its related noncommunicable diseases, continue to be a major public health issue [1], the food industry is increasingly being encouraged to contribute to the alleviation of the obesity burden through product reformulation and the development of the next generation of foods [2]. One strategy involves increasing the satiating power of foods and beverages, reducing consumption quantity, and thus energy intake, promoting weight loss [3, 4]. This can easily be achieved through increasing the amount of protein consumed, as gram for gram, protein is the most satiating macronutrient, in comparison to fat and carbohydrate [5]. However, the variety of protein types and sources are vast, and as of yet the optimal source of protein for satiety, be it from either animal or plant, remains the subject of much debate and study.
ISS-Lyapunov Functions for Discontinuous Discrete-Time Systems

Input-to-State Stability (ISS) and the ISS-Lyapunov function are useful tools for the analysis and design of nonlinear systems. Motivated by the fact that many feedback control laws, such as model predictive or event-based control, lead to discontinuous discrete-time dynamics, we investigate ISS-Lyapunov functions for such systems. ISS-Lyapunov functions were originally introduced in a so-called implication-form and, in many cases, this has been shown to be equivalent to an ISS-Lyapunov function of dissipative-form. However, for discontinuous dynamics, we demonstrate via an example that this equivalence no longer holds. We therefore propose a stronger implication-form ISS-Lyapunov function and provide a complete characterization of ISS-Lyapunov functions for discrete-time systems with discontinuous dynamics.
Docking of Noncompetitive Inhibitors into Dengue Virus Type 2 Protease: Understanding the Interactions with Allosteric Binding Sites

A group of flavanones and their chalcones, isolated from Boesenbergia rotunda L. , were previously reported to show varying degrees of noncompetitive inhibitory activities toward Dengue virus type 2 (Den2) protease. Results obtained from automated docking studies are in agreement with experimental data in which the ligands were shown to bind to sites other than the active site of the protease. The calculated K(i) values are very small, indicating that the ligands bind quite well to the allosteric binding site. Greater inhibition by pinostrobin, compared to the other compounds, can be explained by H-bonding interaction with the backbone carbonyl of Lys74, which is bonded to Asp75 (one of the catalytic triad residues). In addition, structure-activity relationship analysis yields structural information that may be useful for designing more effective therapeutic drugs against dengue virus infections.
Down-Regulation of miR-92 in Human Plasma Is a Novel Marker for Acute Leukemia Patients

Background MicroRNAs are a family of 19- to 25-nucleotides noncoding small RNAs that primarily function as gene regulators. Aberrant microRNA expression has been described for several human malignancies, and this new class of small regulatory RNAs has both oncogenic and tumor suppressor functions. Despite this knowledge, there is little information regarding microRNAs in plasma especially because microRNAs in plasma, if exist, were thought to be digested by RNase. Recent studies, however, have revealed that microRNAs exist and escape digestion in plasma. Methodology/Principal Findings We performed microRNA microaray to obtain insight into microRNA deregulation in the plasma of a leukemia patient. We have revealed that microRNA-638 (miR-638) is stably present in human plasmas, and microRNA-92a (miR-92a) dramatically decreased in the plasmas of acute leukemia patients. Especially, the ratio of miR-92a/miR-638 in plasma was very useful for distinguishing leukemia patients from healthy body. Conclusions/Significance The ratio of miR-92a/miR-638 in plasma has strong potential for clinical application as a novel biomarker for detection of leukemia.
Goal-Congruent Default Network Activity Facilitates Cognitive Control

Substantial neuroimaging evidence suggests that spontaneous engagement of the default network impairs performance on tasks requiring executive control. We investigated whether this impairment depends on the congruence between executive control demands and internal mentation. We hypothesized that activation of the default network might enhance performance on an executive control task if control processes engage long-term memory representations that are supported by the default network. Using fMRI, we scanned 36 healthy young adult humans on a novel two-back task requiring working memory for famous and anonymous faces. In this task, participants (1) matched anonymous faces interleaved with anonymous face, (2) matched anonymous faces interleaved with a famous face, or (3) matched a famous faces interleaved with an anonymous face. As predicted, we observed a facilitation effect when matching famous faces, compared with anonymous faces. We also observed greater activation of the default network during these famous face-matching trials. The results suggest that activation of the default network can contribute to task performance during an externally directed executive control task. Our findings provide evidence that successful activation of the default network in a contextually relevant manner facilitates goal-directed cognition.
A Folk Theorem on Equilibrium Selection

We study behaviors of evolutionary systems in the long run. In a system where players are randomly matched to play an N -player game in each period and players are allowed to revise their rules, we obtain a general result on equilibrium selection. For any arbitrarily prescribed stage game equilibrium, if the set of rules available in system is sufficiently comprehensive, then such given equilibrium will be played infinitely often. To be specific, if the set of rules in the system has full supports, then any equilibrium of the stage game will be played infinitely often. Therefore, we obtain a folk theorem on equilibrium selection: any equilibrium of the stage game can be selected in the long run, provided that a corresponding set of rules are available in the system. Journal of Economic Literature Classification Numbers:
MTHFR C677T polymorphism and migraine with aura

population-based Genetic Epidemiology of Migraine (GEM) study, we selectively collected migraineurs with a probably more severe phenotype in a highly specialized pain clinic. This may indicate that MTHFR could be a susceptibility factor for less severe forms of MA, whereas the more severe and often familial cases of MA have a different molecular cause
Changes in light intensity during the rearing period can influence egg production in domestic fowl

1. A total of 240 Shaver White and 240 ISA Brown pullets that had been reared in multi-bird cages on a 10-h photoperiod, and maintained at a light intensity of 3 or 25 lux, or changed from 3 to 25 lux or from 25 to 3 lux at 9 or 16 weeks of age, were moved into individual-bird cages at 20 weeks and transferred to 15-h photoperiods at 25 lux. 2. In both breeds, birds transferred from 3 to 25 lux at 16 or 20 weeks laid significantly more eggs than birds maintained on the brighter intensity from one day or increased to it at 9 weeks. 3. Mean egg weight, shell deformation, albumen height, feed intake and body weight gain in lay were not significantly affected by the light intensity treatments during the rearing period. There was, however, a small, but significant, negative correlation of egg numbers with mean egg weight, although this only partially explained the difference in egg numbers. The differences in egg production were unrelated to rate of sexual maturation.
Hybridization success of three common European cyprinid species, Rutilus rutilus, Blicca bjoerkna and Abramis brama and larval resistance to stress tests

Hybridization success at early developmental stages and larval resistance to osmotic, thermal and fasting tests in roach Rutilus rutilus, silver bream Blicca bjoerkna, common bream Abramis brama and their F1 hybrids were investigated. Results revealed that hybrid survival rates were similar to parents. At the eyed embryo stage, however, a maternal effect was observed as a general trend during hatchling and larval stages. After these stages, hybrids displayed a higher survival rate than their parents. Under stress tests, no survival was observed after 40 min for osmotic and thermal shocks and after 24 days for the prolonged fasting test in these species and their F1 hybrids. The median survivals of hybrids were intermediate between the two parents. For total mortality, hybrids were also affected by a maternal effect but to the advantage of the hybrids.
The Synthesis and Analysis of Stochastic Switching Circuits

Stochastic switching circuits are relay circuits that consist of stochastic switches called pswitches. The study of stochastic switching circuits has widespread applications in many fields of computer science, neuroscience, and biochemistry. In this paper, we discuss several properties of stochastic switching circuits, including robustness, expressibility, and probability approximation. First, we study the robustness, namely, the effect caused by introducing an error of size Є to each pswitch in a stochastic circuit. We analyze two constructions and prove that simple series-parallel circuits are robust to small error perturbations, while general series-parallel circuits are not. Specifically, the total error introduced by perturbations of size less than Є is bounded by a constant multiple of Є in a simple series-parallel circuit, independent of the size of the circuit. Next, we study the expressibility of stochastic switching circuits: Given an integer q and a pswitch set S = {1/q,2/q,. ,q-1/q}, can we synthesize any rational probability with denominator q^n (for arbitrary n) with a simple series-parallel stochastic switching circuit? We generalize previous results and prove that when q is a multiple of 2 or 3, the answer is yes. We also show that when q is a prime number larger than 3, the answer is no. Probability approximation is studied for a general case of an arbitrary pswitch set S = {s_1, s_2,. , s_(|S|)}. In this case, we propose an algorithm based on local optimization to approximate any desired probability. The analysis reveals that the approximation error of a switching circuit decreases exponentially with an increasing circuit size.
P300 AND RESPONSE TIME FROM THE COLORED KANJI STROOP TASK

The P300 component of the event-related brain potential during the colored Kanji Stroop task was used in conjunction with response time to identify the locus of interference. Participants were instructed to respond to the colored Kanji characters as quickly as possible in the respective stimulus conditions. Response time varied with the congruence and incongruence stimulus conditions. However, the P300 latency remained stable during the stimulus-related processes. P300 amplitude decreased from the parietal, central to the frontal electrode sites in order in each stimulus condition. The findings provide further evidence that response-related processes are the primary source of Stroop interference.
A Short-Term Longitudinal Study of Children's Playground Games in Primary School: Implications for Adjustment to School and Social Adjustment in the USA and the UK.

In this study we described development of boys' and girls' games on the school playground at recess as they progressed across the first year of primary school in London (UK) and Minneapolis (USA) in order to document age-related trends in games during this period and to examine the predictive role of games in children's adjustment to school and more general social adjustment. Consistent with expectations, games accounted for a significant portion of children's, but especially boys', behavior during recess. American children played games more frequently, especially simple games, relative to English children. Consistent with expectation, the complexity of games increased, especially for boys, across the school year for children in both countries. We also examined the extent to which facility with games forecasted adjustment to school and social adjustment. Games predicted both, but only in the USA sample. Results are discussed in terms of games being an important developmental task for children of this age. Implications for future research and educational policy are discussed.
An abnormal resting-state functional brain network indicates progression towards Alzheimer's disease

Brain structure and cognitive function change in the temporal lobe, hippocampus, and prefrontal cortex of patients with mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease, and brain network-connection strength, network efficiency, and nodal attributes are abnormal. However, existing research has only analyzed the differences between these patients and normal controls. In this study, we constructed brain networks using resting-state functional MRI data that was extracted from four populations (normal controls, patients with early mild cognitive impairment, patients with late mild cognitive impairment, and patients with Alzheimer's disease) using the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative data set. The aim was to analyze the characteristics of resting-state functional neural networks, and to observe mild cognitive impairment at different stages before the transformation to Alzheimer's disease. Results showed that as cognitive deficits increased across the four groups, the shortest path in the resting-state functional network gradually increased, while clustering coefficients gradually decreased. This evidence indicates that dementia is associated with a decline of brain network efficiency. In addition, the changes in functional networks revealed the progressive deterioration of network function across brain regions from healthy elderly adults to those with mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease. The alterations of node attributes in brain regions may reflect the cognitive functions in brain regions, and we speculate that early impairments in memory, hearing, and language function can eventually lead to diffuse brain injury and other cognitive impairments.
Weapon allometry varies with latitude in the New Zealand giraffe weevil

Animal body size commonly shows a relationship with latitude to the degree that this phenomenon is one of the few ‘rules’ discussed in evolutionary ecology: Bergmann's rule. Although exaggerated secondary sexual traits frequently exhibit interesting relationships with body size (allometries) and are expected to evolve rapidly in response to environmental variation, the way in which allometry might interact with latitude has not been addressed. We present data showing latitudinal variation in body size and weapon allometry for the New Zealand giraffe weevil (Lasiorhynchus barbicornis). Males display an extremely elongated rostrum used as a weapon during fights for access to females. Consistent with Bergmann's rule, mean body size increased with latitude. More interestingly, weapon allometry also varied with latitude, such that lower latitude populations exhibited steeper allometric slopes between weapon and body size. To our knowledge, this is the first study to document a latitudinal cline in weapon allometry and is therefore a novel contribution to the collective work on Bergmann's rule and secondary sexual trait variation.
Cultural morality : From Margins to the Centre stage

This is a theoretical paper which highlights the contributions of early researchers in the field of moral psychology. It emphasizes how initially morality was considered universal in nature, and was limited to the idea of harm and fairness. The paper provides research evidences for crosscultural differences in the conceptualization of morality. It urges to expand the domain of morality beyond harm and fairness to include other culturally relevant values. The paper outlines the cultural models of morality in the field of psychology.
Land-use change modelling in the Upper Blue Nile Basin

Land-use and land-cover changes are driving unprecedented changes in ecosystems and environmental processes at different scales. This study was aimed at identifying the potential land-use drivers in the Jedeb catchment of the Abbay basin by combining statistical analysis, field investigation and remote sensing. To do so, a land-use change model was calibrated and evaluated using the SITE (SImulation of Terrestrial Environment) modelling framework. SITE is cellular automata based multi-criteria decision analysis framework for simulating land-use conversion based on socio-economic and environmental factors. Past land-use trajectories (1986–2009) were evaluated using a reference Landsat-derived map (agreement of 84%). Results show that major land-use change drivers in the study area were population, slope, livestock and distances from various infrastructures (roads, markets and water). It was also found that farmers seem to increasingly prefer plantations of trees such as Eucalyptus by replacing croplands perhaps mainly due to declining crop yield, soil fertility and climate variability. Potential future trajectory of land-use change was also predicted under a business-as-usual scenario (2009–2025). Results show that agricultural land will continue to expand from 69.5% in 2009 to 77.5% in 2025 in the catchment albeit at a declining rate when compared with the period from 1986 to 2009. Plantation forest will also increase at a much higher rate, mainly at the expense of natural vegetation, agricultural land and grasslands. This study provides critical information to land-use planners and policy makers for a more effective and proactive management in this highland catchment.
Civil War and the Welfare of Extended Households Evidence from Longitudinal Data from Burundi

We analyse the effect of violence and rebellion on the evolution of household welfare. We collected new panel data for Burundi (1999-2007) in which we reinterviewed original as well as newly formed households (split-offs). We use several definitions of the household as unit of analysis and test for resource pooling between parental and split-off households. Focusing on the effect of civil war, we find that villagelevel violence, measured as the number of battle-related deaths or wounded reduces consumption growth by 9% for every 25 casualties. Joining an armed rebel group was a lucrative livelihood strategy: households of which at least one member joined an armed group experienced 41% higher growth in welfare over the study period. Results are robust to alternative variables of civil war shocks and model specifications, including household fixed effects and initial household fixed effects.
Unsettling the guardian: quest religiosity and psychological type among Anglican churchgoers

Both psychological type and religious orientation have provided tools for understanding the make-up of church congregations and for examining the extent to which different styles of church services may appeal to distinct congregational profiles; however the relationship between the two instruments is relatively little studied to date. Some 390 individuals who attended a Christmas carol service in a Church of England cathedral completed both the Francis Psychological Type Scales and the New Indices of Religious Orientation. Higher Quest scores were found among Intuitive types than Sensing types, replicating an earlier finding by Ross and Francis. Unlike the earlier study, the present survey also identified significantly higher Quest scores for perceiving rather than judging types. A further comparison of the combined SJ type with the remainder of the sample showed the former to have lower Quest scores. The findings are discussed and suggestions made for further research.
An AdS Crunch in Supergravity 1

We review some properties of N=8 gauged supergravity in four dimensions with modified, but AdS invariant boundary conditions on the m2 = −2 scalars. There is a one-parameter class of asymptotic conditions on these fields and the metric components, for which the full AdS symmetry group is preserved. The generators of the asymptotic symmetries are finite, but acquire a contribution from the scalar fields. For a large class of such boundary conditions, we find there exist black holes with scalar hair that are specified by a single conserved charge. Since Schwarschild-AdS is a solution too for all boundary conditions, this provides an example of black hole non-uniqueness. We also show there exist solutions where smooth initial data evolve to a big crunch singularity. This opens up the possibility of using the dual conformal field theory to obtain a fully quantum description of the cosmological singularity, and we report on a preliminary study of this. To appear in The New Cosmology, Proceedings of the Conference on Strings and Cosmology, Mitchell Institute, Texas A&M University, March 14-17, 2004, eds R. Allen and C. Pope, to be published by the American Institute of Physics. email:Hertog@vulcan.physics. ucsb.edu