Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Lateralization and the binaural masking-level difference.

Observers can readily detect interaural delays in certain complex waveforms even when the energy in the waveform is confined to high‐frequency regions. However, the detectability of such complex waveforms is not measurably dependent on interaural phase—that is, there is no masking‐level difference with high‐frequency signals in spite of the fact that interaural phase effects are readily observed as changes in the apparent location of the source of the signal.
Evaluating Sentinel-2 and Landsat-8 Data to Map Sucessional Forest Stages in a Subtropical Forest in Southern Brazil

Studies designed to discriminate different successional forest stages play a strategic role in forest management, forest policy and environmental conservation in tropical environments. The discrimination of different successional forest stages is still a challenge due to the spectral similarity among the concerned classes. Considering this, the objective of this paper was to investigate the performance of Sentinel-2 and Landsat-8 data for discriminating different successional forest stages of a patch located in a subtropical portion of the Atlantic Rain Forest in Southern Brazil with the aid of two machine learning algorithms and relying on the use of spectral reflectance data selected over two seasons and attributes thereof derived. Random Forest (RF) and Support Vector Machine (SVM) were used as classifiers with different subsets of predictor variables (multitemporal spectral reflectance, textural metrics and vegetation indices). All the experiments reached satisfactory results, with Kappa indices varying between 0.9, with Landsat-8 spectral reflectance alone and the SVM algorithm, and 0.98, with Sentinel-2 spectral reflectance alone also associated with the SVM algorithm. The Landsat-8 data had a significant increase in accuracy with the inclusion of other predictor variables in the classification process besides the pure spectral reflectance bands. The classification methods SVM and RF had similar performances in general. As to the RF method, the texture mean of the red-edge and SWIR bands were considered the most important ranked attributes for the classification of Sentinel-2 data, while attributes resulting from multitemporal bands, textural metrics of SWIR bands and vegetation indices were the most important ones in the Landsat-8 data classification.
Subtypes of the Somatostatin Receptor Assemble as Functional Homo- and Heterodimers*

The existence of receptor dimers has been proposed for several G protein-coupled receptors. However, the question of whether G protein-coupled receptor dimers are necessary for activating or modulating normal receptor function is unclear. We address this question with somatostatin receptors (SSTRs) of which there are five distinct subtypes. By using transfected mutant and wild type receptors, as well as endogenous receptors, we provide pharmacological, biochemical, and physical evidence, based on fluorescence resonance energy transfer analysis, that activation by ligand induces SSTR dimerization, both homo- and heterodimerization with other members of the SSTR family, and that dimerization alters the functional properties of the receptor such as ligand binding affinity and agonist-induced receptor internalization and up-regulation. Double label confocal fluorescence microscopy showed that when SSTR1 and SSTR5 subtypes were coexpressed in Chinese hamster ovary-K1 cells and treated with agonist they underwent internalization and were colocalized in cytoplasmic vesicles. SSTR5 formed heterodimers with SSTR1 but not with SSTR4 suggesting that heterodimerization is a specific process that is restricted to some but not all receptor subtype combinations. Direct protein interaction between different members of the SSTR subfamily defines a new level of molecular cross-talk between subtypes of the SSTR and possibly related receptor families.
Cilostazol Ameliorates Metabolic Abnormalities with Suppression of Proinflammatory Markers in a db/db Mouse Model of Type 2 Diabetes via Activation of Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor γ Transcription

In a previous study, cilostazol promoted differentiation of 3T3-L1 fibroblasts into adipocytes and improved insulin sensitivity by stimulating peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) γ transcription. This study evaluated the in vivo efficacy of cilostazol to protect a db/db mouse model of type 2 diabetes against altered metabolic abnormalities and proinflammatory markers via activation of PPARγ transcription. Eight-week-old db/db mice were treated with cilostazol or rosiglitazone for 12 days. Cilostazol significantly decreased plasma glucose and triglyceride levels, as did rosiglitazone, a PPARγ agonist. Elevated plasma insulin and resistin levels were significantly decreased by cilostazol, and decreased adiponectin mRNA expression was elevated along with increased plasma adiponectin. Cilostazol significantly increased both adipocyte fatty acid binding protein and fatty acid transport protein-1 mRNA expressions with increased glucose transport 4 in the adipose tissue. Cilostazol and rosiglitazone significantly suppressed proinflammatory markers (superoxide, tumor necrosis factor-α, and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1) in the carotid artery of db/db mice. In an in vitro study with 3T3-L1 fibroblasts, cilostazol significantly increased PPARγ transcription activity, as did rosiglitazone. The transcription activity stimulated by cilostazol was attenuated by KT5720 [(9R,10S,12S)-2,3,9,10,11,12-hexahydro-10-hydroxy-9-methyl-1-oxo-9, 12-epoxy-1H-diindolo[1,2,3-fg:3′,2′,1′-kl]pyrrolo [3,4-I][1,6]-benzodiazocine-10-carboxylic acid hexyl ester], a cAMP-dependent protein kinase inhibitor, and GW9662 (2-chloro-5-nitrobenzanilide), an antagonist of PPARγ activity, indicative of implication of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt signal pathway. These results suggest that cilostazol may improve insulin sensitivity along with anti-inflammatory effects in type 2 diabetic patients via activation of both cAMP-dependent protein kinase and PPARγ transcription.
Neuropeptide Y Impairs Retrieval of Extinguished Fear and Modulates Excitability of Neurons in the Infralimbic Prefrontal Cortex

Neuropeptide Y (NPY), a 36 aa peptide, regulates stress and emotional behaviors. Preclinical and clinical studies support an association of NPY with trauma-evoked syndromes such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), although the exact contribution of NPY is not clear. In the current study, we examined functional attributes of NPY in the infralimbic (IL) cortex, an area that regulates fear memories and is reported to be hypoactive in PTSD. Carriers of NPY gene polymorphism rs16147 have been reported to have elevated prefrontal NPY expression. Infusion of NPY into the IL cortex in rats significantly impaired fear extinction memory without affecting conditioned fear expression or acquisition of extinction. Neuroendocrine stress response, depression-like behavior, and working memory performance were not affected by NPY infusion into the IL. The NPY Y1 receptor antagonist BIBO3304 completely abolished NPY effects on fear extinction retrieval. Y1 receptor expression was localized on CaMKII-positive pyramidal projection neurons and GAD67-positive interneurons in the IL. Patch-clamp recordings revealed increased inhibitory synaptic transmission onto IL projection neurons in the presence of NPY. Thus, NPY dampens excitability of IL projection neurons and impairs retrieval of extinction memory by inhibiting consolidation of extinction. Of relevance to PTSD, elevation of prefrontal NPY attributable to the genetic polymorphism rs16147 may contribute to IL hypoactivity, resulting in impaired extinction memory and susceptibility to the disorder. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Neuropeptide Y (NPY), a stress modulatory transmitter, is associated with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Contribution of NPY to PTSD symptomology is unclear. PTSD patients have reduced activity in the infralimbic (IL) subdivision of the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), associated with compromised extinction memory. No information exists on fear modulation by NPY in the IL cortex, although NPY and NPY receptors are abundant in these areas. This study shows that IL NPY inhibits consolidation of extinction, resulting in impaired retrieval of extinction memory and modulates excitability of IL projection neurons. In addition to providing a novel perspective on extinction memory modulation by NPY, our findings suggest that elevated mPFC NPY in gene polymorphism rs16147 carriers or after chronic stress could increase susceptibility to PTSD.
Localization using stochastic proximity embedding for underwater Acoustic Sensor Networks

Underwater Acoustic Sensor Networks are getting increasing attention from the research community. Localization is an important functionality in any sensor network. Due to properties of the acoustic medium, terrestrial localization algorithms are not directly applicable to underwater networks. In this paper, the authors propose a modified version of Stochastic Proximity Embedding localization algorithm proposed before for terrestrial localization customized for underwater application. The algorithm was found to provide good performance in underwater scenario as it can make use of ranges between all nodes with unknown locations. Detailed study of the algorithm performance has been done and the results are reported.
Nomenclature of the Human Immunoglobulin Lambda (IGL) Genes

‘Nomenclature of the Human Immunoglobulin Lambda (IGL) Genes’, the 18th report of the ‘IMGT Locus in Focus’ section, provides the first complete list of all the human IGL genes. The total number of human IGL genes per haploid genome is 87–96 (93–102 if the orphons are included), of which 37–43 genes are functional. IMGT/Human Genome Organization (HUGO) gene names and definitions of the human IGL genes on chromosome 22q11.2 and IGL orphons on chromosomes 8 and 22 are provided with the gene functionality and the number of alleles, according to the rules of the IMGT Scientific chart, with the accession numbers of the IMGT reference sequences and with the accession ID of the Genome Database GDB and NCBI LocusLink databases, in which all the IMGT human IGL genes have been entered. The tables are available at the IMGT Marie-Paule page of IMGT, the international ImMunoGeneTics database (http://imgt.cines.fr) created by Marie-Paule Lefranc, Université Montpellier II, CNRS, France.
Understanding historic building conservation

Preface. Contributors. 1 The past in the future Michael Forsyth. 2 Architectural history and conservation Martin Cherry. 3 Conservation and authenticity Martin Robertson . 4 Regeneration and the historic environment Duncan McCallum . 5 Problems and opportunities in rural conservation Jeremy Lake. 6 Sustainable reuse of historic industrial sites Keith Falconer. 7 Realms of memory: changing perceptions of the country house Giles Waterfield. 8 Conserving buildings of the Modern Movement John Winter. 9 Conservation and historic designed landscapes Jonathan Lovie. 10 International standards and charters Philip Whitbourn. 11 Conservation legislation in the United Kingdom: a brief history Colin Johns. 12 Conservation legislation in the United Kingdom: looking ahead Colin Johns. 13 The role of the archaeologist Peter Davenport. 14 Preparing the conservation plan James Maitland Gard'ner. 15 Costing and contracts for historic buildings Adrian Stenning and Geoff Evans. 16 Maintenance in conservation Nigel Dann and Timothy Cantell. 17 Building preservation trusts Colin Johns. 18 Valuing our heritage David H. Tomback. Index
Intracellular Ca2+ handling and myofibrillar Ca2+ sensitivity are defective in single muscle fibres of aged humans

Decreased muscle strength is a common consequence of ageing in humans. A decline in muscle force production can affect independent living and the quality of life of aged individuals, especially if muscle weakness impedes with the ability to perform the basic tasks of daily living. The reduction in muscle strength in old age is caused in part by decreased muscle mass, which occurs even in physically active individuals who have exercised throughout their lifespan. However, what is less known is whether strength loss in elderly individuals can be attributed to intrinsic changes within the muscle fibres. Studies that have examined contractile force in single fibres from aged humans have shown decreased specific force (i.e. maximal force per cross-sectional area) at saturated myoplasmic Ca2+ concentrations ([Ca2+]i) mainly in fast-twitch type II fibres (see Lamboley et al. 2015 for references), which is due to decreased force per cross-bridge or number of force-generating cross-bridges. Two additional parameters that play important roles in regulating muscle force generation are intracellular Ca2+ handling and myofibrillar Ca2+ sensitivity. The sigmoidal force–Ca2+ relationship of muscle fibres dictates that increased [Ca2+]i increases force production. Downstream from sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+ release and at non-saturated [Ca2+]i, the myofibrils can become more or less sensitive to a given [Ca2+]i (i.e. myofibrillar Ca2+ sensitivity). Myofibrillar Ca2+ sensitivity depends on inhibition or facilitation of the interaction between myosin cross-bridges and troponin–tropomyosin, which controls the number of open binding sites for cross-bridges on actin. Most daily tasks involve submaximal voluntary contractions, and decreased myofibrillar Ca2+ sensitivity would be detrimental to submaximal force production because small changes in myofibrillar Ca2+ sensitivity on the steepest portion of the force–[Ca2+]i relationship cause large changes in force. Previously, it was not known how these cellular processes were affected in muscle fibres of aged humans. A recent study in The Journal of Physiology by Lamboley et al. (2015) provided novel insight into the molecular basis for the ageing-associated decline in single-fibre force production in humans, particularly with respect to altered myofibrillar Ca2+ sensitivity and intracellular Ca2+ handling.
Persepsi Mahasiswa Dalam Penerapan E-Learning Sebagai Aplikasi Peningkatan Kualitas Pendidikan (Studi Kasus Pada Universitas Islam Indonesia)

Penelitian ini mencoba menganalisa pemahaman dan kesiapan mahasiswa, kesiapan institusi, hal-hal yang dibutuhkan, dan kapasitas fungsi dalam penerapan e-learning secara utuh. Metode yang digunakan adalah polling (pembagian kuesioner) dan studi literatur. Secara umum mahasiswa memahami e-learning sebagai metode pembelajaran yang memanfaatkan internet dan komputer secara online. Mahasiswa menyatakan perlu adanya penerapan secara penuh atas e-learning di Universitas Islam Indonesia (UII) dan siap untuk memanfaatkannya seoptimal mungkin. Faktor yang dibutuhkan dalam penerapan e-learning antara lain; kesadaran semua pihak, kemauan dan kemampuan sumber daya manusia (SDM), sarana prasarana dan sosialisasi. Kata kunci: e-Learning, pembelajaran elektronik, komputer, internet.
Impact of a Biomarker-Based Strategy on Oncology Drug Development: A Meta-analysis of Clinical Trials Leading to FDA Approval.

BACKGROUND In order to ascertain the impact of a biomarker-based (personalized) strategy, we compared outcomes between US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved cancer treatments that were studied with and without such a selection rationale. METHODS Anticancer agents newly approved (September 1998 to June 2013) were identified at the Drugs@FDA website. Efficacy, treatment-related mortality, and hazard ratios (HRs) for time-to-event endpoints were analyzed and compared in registration trials for these agents. All statistical tests were two-sided. RESULTS Fifty-eight drugs were included (leading to 57 randomized [32% personalized] and 55 nonrandomized trials [47% personalized], n = 38 104 patients). Trials adopting a personalized strategy more often included targeted (100% vs 65%, P < .001), oral (68% vs 35%, P = .001), and single agents (89% vs 71%, P = .04) and more frequently permitted crossover to experimental treatment (67% vs 28%, P = .009). In randomized registration trials (using a random-effects meta-analysis), personalized therapy arms were associated with higher relative response rate ratios (RRRs, compared with their corresponding control arms) (RRRs = 3.82, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.51 to 5.82, vs RRRs = 2.08, 95% CI = 1.76 to 2.47, adjusted P = .03), longer PFS (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.41, 95% CI = 0.33 to 0.51, vs HR = 0.59, 95% CI = 0.53 to 0.65, adjusted P < .001) and a non-statistically significantly longer OS (HR = 0.71, 95% CI = 0.61 to 0.83, vs HR = 0.81, 95% CI = 0.77 to 0.85, adjusted P = .07) compared with nonpersonalized trials. Analysis of experimental arms in all 112 registration trials (randomized and nonrandomized) demonstrated that personalized therapy was associated with higher response rate (48%, 95% CI = 42% to 55%, vs 23%, 95% CI = 20% to 27%, P < .001) and longer PFS (median = 8.3, interquartile range [IQR] = 5 vs 5.5 months, IQR = 5, adjusted P = .002) and OS (median = 19.3, IQR = 17 vs 13.5 months, IQR = 8, Adjusted P = .04). A personalized strategy was an independent predictor of better RR, PFS, and OS, as demonstrated by multilinear regression analysis. Treatment-related mortality rate was similar for personalized and nonpersonalized trials. CONCLUSIONS A biomarker-based approach was safe and associated with improved efficacy outcomes in FDA-approved anticancer agents.
Innate Lymphocyte Effectors (Natural Killer, Natural Killer T and γδ T Cells) in Infection and Myocarditis

Myocarditis is defined as an inflammation of myocardium where the infiltrating leukocytes are intimately associated with cardiomyocyte necrosis or drop-out (Liu, 2005; Woodruff, 1980). Cardiac damage may be minimal and self-limiting or may result in chronic fibrosis and cardiac dysfunction leading to death in children and young adults (Eckart et al., 2004; Fabre, 2006; Solberg et al., 2010). As discussed in other chapters of this book, infections with a highly diverse group of viruses, bacteria, fungi, and worms have been implicated in infectious myocarditis (Friman et al., 1995). Enteroviruses and adenoviruses are usually considered as the predominant viral etiological agents, and are associated with approximately 80% of clinical myocarditis where a viral infection is documented. However, virtually any virus infection may initiate myocarditis (Bowles et al., 2003; Woodruff, 1980). While seasonal influenza virus is only a minor etiological agent in myocarditis, evidence from the most recent influenza H1N1 pandemic (Vila de Muga et al., 2010; Wiegand et al., 2010; Zheng et al., 2010) suggests a higher incidence of both mortality and morbidity, and accounts for 5% of complications in infected children (Zheng et al., 2010). Myocardial injury results either directly from replication and induction of death or dysfunction in infected cardiocytes, or from host responses to infection (Huber, 2010). Although anti-viral host responses (innate or adaptive) are intended to control and eliminate the infection, cytokines and by-products such as nitric oxide or oxygen free radicals may also damage adjacent uninfected cells (Szalay et al., 2006). Innate immunity is the initial host response to infection and usually occurs within hours or days of virus introduction. The major characteristic of the innate response, besides its rapidity, is that it is broadly reactive to multiple infectious agents. While it is highly unlikely that innate immunity can completely eliminate the infection, it can suppress microbial replication until the far more potent and highly specific adaptive immune response kicks in. The reason for this is quite simple, viruses replicate rapidly with, for example, one picornavirus infected cell in tissue culture producing up to a million progeny virions within 18-24 hrs. In vivo, such rapid and uncontrolled growth could result in extensive tissue injury or death of the organism prior to a useful adaptive immune response being established since during a primary immune response, production of meaningful numbers of virus-specific T cells could
Chronic gastrointestinal symptoms and quality of life in the Korean population.

AIM To evaluate the prevalence of chronic gastrointestinal symptoms and their impact on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in the Korean population. METHODS A cross-sectional survey, using a reliable and valid Rome II based questionnaire, was performed on randomly selected residents, between 18 and 69 years in age. All respondents were interviewed at their homes or offices by a team of interviewers. The impact of chronic gastrointestinal symptoms on HRQOL was assessed using the Korean version of the 36-item Short-Form general health survey (SF-36). RESULTS Of the 1807 eligible subjects, 1417 (78.4%: male 762; female 655) were surveyed. Out of the respondents, 18.6% exhibited at least one chronic gastrointestinal symptom. The prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), defined as heartburn and/or acid regurgitation experienced at least weekly, was 3.5% (95% CI, 2.6-4.5). The prevalence of uninvestigated dyspepsia, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and chronic constipation based on Rome II criteria were 11.7% (95% CI, 10.1-13.5), 2.2% (95% CI, 1.5-3.1), and 2.6% (95% CI, 1.8-3.5) respectively. Compared with subjects without chronic gastrointestinal symptoms (n=1153), those with GERD (n=50), uninvestigated dyspepsia (n=166) and IBS (n=31) had significantly worse scores on most domains of the SF-36 scales. CONCLUSION The prevalence of GERD, uninvestigated dyspepsia and IBS were 3.5%, 11.7% and 2.2% respectively, in the Korean population. The health-related quality of life was significantly impaired in subjects with GERD, uninvestigated dyspepsia and IBS in this community.
A comparison of three interaction modalities in the car: gestures, voice and touch

This paper compares an emergent interaction modality for the In-Vehicle Infotainment System (IVIS), i.e., gesturing on the steering wheel, with two more popular modalities in modern cars: touch in the central dashboard and speech. We conducted a between-subjects experiment with 20 participants for each modality to assess the interaction performance with the IVIS and the impact on the driving performance. Moreover, we compared the three modalities in terms of usability, subjective workload and emotional response. The results showed no statically significant differences between the three interaction modalities regarding the various indicators for the driving task performance, while significant differences were found in measures of IVIS interaction performance: users performed less interactions to complete the secondary tasks with the speech modality, while, in average, a lower task completion time was registered with the touch modality. The three interfaces were comparable in terms of perceived usability, mental workload and emotional response.